In Moscow Oblast of Russia, a blaze broke out at the scientific research institute of special machine engineering in the city of Khotkovo, as per Russian Telegram channels, according to Militarnyi.
Sudden fires, arsons and sabotage attacks on strategic facilities have intensified after the start Russian war on Ukraine. Moreover, Kyiv has increased its drone strikes against key Russian military bases and defense factories. Notably, on the night of 19 October, Ukrainian forces targeted the Lipetsk-2 Air Base and the Sverdlov explosives manufacturing plant in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, causing substantial fires and secondary explosions.
The facility in Khotkovo manufactures parts for Russian missile and space technology, among other sectors. Residents of the settlement revealed the fire engulfed a workshop where testing is conducted in the morning.
Thick smoke from the blaze was visible in various areas of the city. Preliminary reports indicate that the fire covered an area of 100 square meters.
The official cause of the fire has not been disclosed. However, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations claims that insulation materials allegedly caught fire, and there are no reported casualties.
The Central Scientific Research Institute of Special Machine Engineering in Khotkovo specializes in designing and producing structures made from polymer composite materials for missile and space technology.
Additionally, the institute conducts design and technological developments.
This institute, in particular, developed a composite material container for the Russian strategic missile system “Topol-M.”
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