At least 10 dead in blast at Russian missile plant supplying strikes on Ukraine — media

The plant manufactured, among other munitions, S-8 unguided air-to-surface rockets, which Russia’s Defense Ministry routinely highlights in its official updates on the war.

Military experts told Agentstvo that these rockets are typically launched from Su-25 fighter jets and Mi-8, Mi-24, or Mi-35 helicopters in frontline operations.

“These rockets are used for salvo fire in a ‘lofted’ trajectory — when a helicopter pitches upward before launch to gain range at the cost of accuracy,” said Kyrylo Mikhailov, military analyst with the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT).

“By definition, this method is indiscriminate and carries a high risk of hitting civilian infrastructure,” he added, noting that the rockets’ short range makes them suitable only for use close to the line of contact.

Chelyabinsk Oblast Governor Alexei Teksler confirmed the explosion at the plant in Kopeisk on the evening of Oct. 22. He initially said four people had died and several others were injured, while claiming that “the version involving a drone strike is not confirmed.”

Teksler later reported a second explosion “at the center of the fire.”

By midday Oct. 23, he said the confirmed death toll had risen to 10 and that “the whereabouts of another 12 plant employees are being clarified.”

Authorities did not officially name the plant. However, Russian media reported it was the Plastmass plant, part of the state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, which manufactures various types of munitions. Rostec has previously stated that the plant’s output “constitutes the core firepower of modern artillery and attack aviation.”

Journalists also noted that last year, during the plant’s 85th anniversary, Teksler praised its ramped-up production, saying output had “multiplied” since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Plastmass plant is under sanctions by the United States, the European Union, and Canada.