A significant fire has erupted at a major military facility in Russia, with social media channels from both Russia and Ukraine sharing dramatic footage of flames and smoke rising from the site.
Pro-Kyiv Telegram channel Ukraine Fights was among those to release videos showing the blaze at Uraltransmash, located in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk region, approximately 1,100 miles east of Moscow. Uraltransmash is known for producing military equipment, including self-propelled artillery and oil drilling rigs, alongside other civilian products.
Pro-Ukrainian X account Jay in Kyiv commented on the situation with a video of the fire, noting, “Russian armament factories are NOT having a good year.”
According to local news outlet E1.ru, the fire began on the roof of an empty welding workshop, with three workers safely evacuated. The Sverdlovsk Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that 37 firefighters responded to the incident, which affected an area of about 4,300 square feet on a detached building.
Later, Uraltransmash issued a statement indicating that the fire started during warehouse repair work and confirmed that there were no injuries. The company also clarified that the affected area was smaller than initially reported, covering roughly 2,150 square feet.
In the comments section of the E1 article, readers speculated about the fire’s origin, with some suggesting possible sabotage. One commenter remarked, “Saboteurs have penetrated everywhere,” while another wondered if there might be a Ukrainian connection, alluding to previous claims that Kyiv was involved in March’s terror attacks at Moscow’s Crocus Hall, which resulted in at least 145 deaths. Ukrainian officials denied the allegations, and U.S. sources attributed the attacks to the Islamic State.
Though there is no immediate evidence linking Ukraine to the Yekaterinburg fire, it follows a series of strikes on key Russian factories that are crucial to Moscow’s military operations. Kyiv generally does not claim direct responsibility for such attacks, which have targeted oil processing facilities and military-related sites.
In April, Ukrainian drones targeted Russia’s third-largest oil refinery in Tatarstan, around 800 miles from the front lines. That same month, drones also struck the Gorbunov Aviation Plant, which produces missile carriers and aircraft, including Tu-22M3 and Tu-160M bombers.