Death Toll from Russia’s Gunpowder Factory Explosion Climbs to 20; 134 Injured

The death toll from a massive explosion on Friday at the Elastik synthetic fiber plant in Russia’s Ryazan region has risen to 20, with 134 others reported injured, officials confirmed Monday.

The blast destroyed a gunpowder workshop at the facility located in the village of Lesnoy, about 250 kilometers southeast of Moscow. The factory produces industrial explosives, anti-armor warheads, and gas generators for submarines.

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into possible industrial safety violations, though no arrests have been made. A day of mourning was declared in the Ryazan region.

Emergency teams have cleared approximately half of the blast site and are using K-9 units to search for any survivors.

This incident marks the second deadly explosion at the Elastik plant since October 2021, when a similar blast killed 17 workers. Once part of the state defense conglomerate Rostec, the plant ceased operations in 2018 but continues as a private weapons and ammunition manufacturer named “Zavod Elastik.”