Siberian Arms Plant Expanding to Produce High-Powered Explosives
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Introduction:
The news topic “Siberian Arms Plant Expanding to Produce High-Powered Explosives” has drawn international attention, with various media outlets providing diverse insights, historical context, political stances, and on-the-ground developments. Below is a curated overview of how different countries and media organizations have covered this topic recently.
Quick Summary:
- Plant in Siberia to produce high-powered explosive RDX, according to reports. The project is expected to cost 15.5 billion rubles ($189 million) It is located some 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) east of Moscow. It is far from the reach of Ukrainian drone strikes that have increasingly targeted the area since the invasion of Crimea. The plant’s completion date has since been delayed.
- Russia is constructing a large new plant in Siberia to ramp up production of explosives used in artillery shells and other munitions for its war against Ukraine. The new production line is being built at a plant owned by the state defense company Sverdlov Plant, a major manufacturer of explosives. The facility’s projected capacity would be sufficient to produce enough explosives to supply around 1.28 million 152mm artillery shells. Moscow is forced to import large quantities of shells from North Korea as its domestic stockpiles are dwindling. On April 5, drones of the Security Service of Ukraine attacked the Russian plant Promsintez. This is one of Russia’s leading explosives production facilities.
- Russia is building a new large factory for the production of explosives in Siberia. The new production line is being built at a plant owned by the state-owned defence company Sverdlov Plant. The production capacity would be sufficient, for example, to supply 1.28 million Russian 152 mm artillery shells with explosives. Russian plans can be traced “in dozens of documents posted by the ministry’s General Directorate for Special Construction on the state procurement website between February 2023 and September 2023” Ukraine produces interceptor drones, hundreds of which have already shot down Russian reconnaissance and attack UAVs on almost all key fronts. The anti-aircraft FPV drone differs from the conventional one in its higher speed and more powerful battery for long-range flights.
Country-by-Country Breakdown:
Original Coverage
Plant in Siberia to produce high-powered explosive RDX, according to reports. The project is expected to cost 15.5 billion rubles ($189 million) It is located some 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) east of Moscow. It is far from the reach of Ukrainian drone strikes that have increasingly targeted the area since the invasion of Crimea. The plant’s completion date has since been delayed. Read full article
Russia building new explosives plant, Reuters reports
Russia is constructing a large new plant in Siberia to ramp up production of explosives used in artillery shells and other munitions for its war against Ukraine. The new production line is being built at a plant owned by the state defense company Sverdlov Plant, a major manufacturer of explosives. The facility’s projected capacity would be sufficient to produce enough explosives to supply around 1.28 million 152mm artillery shells. Moscow is forced to import large quantities of shells from North Korea as its domestic stockpiles are dwindling. On April 5, drones of the Security Service of Ukraine attacked the Russian plant Promsintez. This is one of Russia’s leading explosives production facilities. Read full article
Russia builds new factory for explosives production – Reuters
Russia is building a new large factory for the production of explosives in Siberia. The new production line is being built at a plant owned by the state-owned defence company Sverdlov Plant. The production capacity would be sufficient, for example, to supply 1.28 million Russian 152 mm artillery shells with explosives. Russian plans can be traced “in dozens of documents posted by the ministry’s General Directorate for Special Construction on the state procurement website between February 2023 and September 2023” Ukraine produces interceptor drones, hundreds of which have already shot down Russian reconnaissance and attack UAVs on almost all key fronts. The anti-aircraft FPV drone differs from the conventional one in its higher speed and more powerful battery for long-range flights. Read full article
Russia building major new explosives facility as Ukraine war drags on
Documents show new production line being built in Siberia, out of range of most Ukrainian attack drones. Moscow’s ability to muster more shells than Ukraine has played an important part in Russia’s battlefield successes. Moscow has needed to import huge quantities of shells from North Korea, and its own munitions stockpiles are dwindling. News of its existence comes as Russia has been pounding Ukraine with artillery, missile and drone strikes, and as US President Donald Trump presses for a deal to end the war. By Maria Tsvetkova, Polina Nikolskaya, Anton Zverev and Ryan McNeill, Reutersphthalmologist.com. The additional explosive anticipated from the project, which has not previously been reported, could help increase Moscow’s firepower significantly at a time when Ukraine and its Western allies have been stepping up production of ordnance. Read full article
Ukraine War, Day 1,169: Kyiv Disrupts Putin’s “Ceasefire” for Victory Day
At least 209 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 1,146 injured by Russian attacks in April. 19 children killed and 78 injured, the highest verified number of child casualties in a month since June 2022. Ukraine’s Parliament has ratified the minerals deal with the US by a 338-0 vote. Russia is carrying out a factory expansion in Siberia to increase production of a powerful explosive used in artillery shells and other munitions in its invasion of Ukraine. The facility could start making the high explosive RDX or HMX. The new production line is being built at a factory owned by State defense company Ya. Sverdlov Plant. It is importing large quantities from North Korea with stocks running low, with stocks of RDX running out in the Donetsk region. It has had an advantage in shells of up to 10:1 as it tries to seize territory in eastern Ukraine. Read full article
Russia’s Siberian Factory: New Power in the Ukraine Conflict
The explosive being produced, RDX, is not currently manufactured at the Biysk Oleum Plant. The expansion comes as Ukraine and its allies boost their ordnance production, aiming to counter Russian advances. The project faces challenges from Western sanctions and labor shortages but is seen as critical to maintaining Russia’s artillery strength. Read full article
Global Perspectives Summary:
Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Sources:
- Original Article
- Russia building new explosives plant, Reuters reports
- Russia builds new factory for explosives production – Reuters
- Russia building major new explosives facility as Ukraine war drags on
- Ukraine War, Day 1,169: Kyiv Disrupts Putin’s “Ceasefire” for Victory Day
- Russia’s Siberian Factory: New Power in the Ukraine Conflict
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/08/siberian-arms-plant-expanding-to-produce-high-powered-explosives-reuters-a89022