Satellite imagery of the factory prior to the explosion
The Plastmass Factory is located in Kopeysk in the Chelyabinsk region and is owned by Technodinamika, itself a holding company within the Rostec state corporation. The factory produces larger caliber munitions from 76to 152mm, Russian artillery shell calibers used by the Russian Army in the Russo-Ukrainian war.[2][3]
Explosion
On 22 October 2025 at around 22:30 one and then at around midnight a second explosion occurred. Local residents reportedly testified that at least 3 drones attacked the factory.[4] Investigative outlet ASTRA reported that Russia's Investigative Committee opened a criminal case into 'alleged violations of industrial safety rules at a hazardous facility resulting in multiple deaths" – stating the blast was caused by breaches of safety during a technological process in a workshop.[2]
Governor Aleksey Teksler stated that the cause of the explosion was not related to a drone attack.[1][5] He also noted that the fire had been extinguished by the morning of 23 October but that there were still 10 people unaccounted for.[1]
Later on 29 October 2025 Teksler announced that 23 people had died in the explosion.[6]
Reaction
Hundreds of residents gathered at Kopeysk central square to pay tribute to the victims and demanded news about the missing workers. They forced the head of a local labor union to read out the names of the 12 employees whose deaths have been confirmed. Governor Teksler was later seen laying flowers at a makeshift memorial, while Plastmass CEO Alexander Balashovtold residents, "It's hard to understand" how the tragedy occurred.[5]
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