Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into terrorism over a blast at an explosives factory in central Russia’s Tambov region, the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.
Police investigators have reportedly found fragments of a drone that attacked the Tambov gunpowder factory late Saturday, which caused a fire at the plant, though no one was killed or injured.
The charges of terrorism, which Kommersant's sources say Russia’s Investigative Committee launched after the blast, carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
The Tambov branch of Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, has not commented on the attack.
Kommersant reported that the Tambov plant, which manufactures artillery shells and gunpowder for small arms, was attacked for a second time early Tuesday.
Russia’s military said Tuesday that air defense systems had shot down four drones in and around the Moscow region, including in Tambov, which is located some 400 kilometers south of the capital.
In June, five people were killed when an explosion ripped through the Tambov gunpowder factory, with authorities at the time blaming “human error” for the blast.
A number of explosions have occurred at Russian arms factories in the 21 months since Moscow invaded Ukraine.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
