A huge fire occurred at the Omsktransmash tank plant, a subsidiary of UralVagonZavod, in the Leninsky district of Omsk on September 12, according to reports from regional authorities.
Initial details about the incident began circulating on social media around 1 p.m. local time. The fire is believed to have started in one of the factory’s buildings, although there have been no reports of casualties or injuries so far.
Omsk Governor Vitaly Khotsenko confirmed the incident, stating, “A fire broke out at the Omsktransmash plant. The roof of one of the workshops caught fire during repair work. Specialists are on-site, and further details are being clarified.”
Omsktransmash is a key player in Russia’s defense industry, producing tanks and heavy flamethrower systems, including the T-80BVM tanks and “Solntsepek” thermobaric weapon systems, which are reportedly used in the war in Ukraine.
The regional Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) stated that the fire was first reported to authorities at 12:55 p.m. Rescue teams quickly arrived on the scene and began working to extinguish the blaze. While the fire appeared to be serious, officials at the plant indicated that the incident has not impacted production.
“During repair work on the roof by a subcontractor, there was a localized fire in the roofing material. Fortunately, the fire did not affect the production process, and no one was injured,” a spokesperson for Omsktransmash reported.
Governor Khotsenko also confirmed that there were no casualties. Firefighters remain on the scene, continuing efforts to fully extinguish the fire.
Omsktransmash has faced international scrutiny, appearing on sanctions lists from both Japan and the United States due to its involvement in the production of military equipment. The plant is known for manufacturing military hardware used by Russian forces in Ukraine, making it a critical part of Russia’s defense infrastructure.
