War arrives on Putin's doorstep: Huge explosion tears through Russian defence plant near Moscow as drone attack targets the capitalThe blast tore through the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant in Sergiyev Posad, 46 miles northeast of Moscow. The plant makes optical devices for the military
Blast came after Moscow said it had downed two drones close to the capital
By CHRIS JEWERS and WILL STEWART
9 August 2023
A Russian defence plant was evacuated this morning after a major explosion at the site sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky, towering over nearby buildings.
It came hours after Moscow became the target of another drone attack overnight, with Russia saying it had shot down two Ukraine UAVs near the capital, in the latest in a string of attacks on and around the country's capital in recent months.
The explosion at the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant also initially prompted reports of a drone strike, but this was quickly denied by Russian officials.
A huge mushroom cloud was seen over the plant in Sergiyev Posad, 46 miles northeast of Moscow. A witness said 'the whole plant is in ruins'.
A total of 31 were wounded but a rising toll of casualties was feared, said governor Andrey Vorobyov, with 19 needing hospital treatment. Three are in a serious condition, reports said.
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Source:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12388161/Explosion-tears-Russian-defence-plant-near-Moscow.html