The explosion was heard in several towns, and the resulting fire was captured on video and shared on social media. According to preliminary reports, the incident was caused by an accident in the powder compaction shop. No injuries have been reported.
The company manufactures medium- and large-caliber ammunition for land and naval defense, as well as solid propellant for aerospace launch vehicles. The plant is part of the major Franco-German defense conglomerate KNDS, which describes itself as one of Kyiv’s key partners and also provides technical services to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
KNDS has supplied weapons to the UAF
In October 2024, KNDS opened a subsidiary in Kyiv to repair Western-supplied armored vehicles. In addition, the group intends to launch joint production of 155-millimeter artillery ammunition with Ukraine.
In January 2025, Germany delivered the first Boxer RCH 155 self-propelled artillery system to Ukraine. KNDS described its design as one of the most advanced in the world, requiring only two people to operate it.
In May, Ukraine and KNDS signed an agreement to produce 30-millimeter ammunition compatible with Soviet-era weapon systems. The collaboration is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s defense industry and expand international industrial partnerships.
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