Fire breaks out in Russia's Saransk, reportedly at plant making power electronics for Russian troops

A fire has broken out in an industrial zone in the city of Saransk, the capital of Russia's Republic of Mordovia, with social media reports suggesting it was at Electrovypryamitel, one of the country's largest producers of power electronics for the Russian armed forces.

Source: The Moscow Times, an independent Amsterdam-based news outlet

Details: A fire erupted in Saransk at about 10:00 on 21 February in an industrial zone. The regional emergency ministry said the blaze occurred near a defence industry facility, the Saransk Instrument Making Plant, on Vasenko Street, without giving a cause.

The fire spread through one workshop at the plant, covering an area of 150 sq m. Two hours later, the emergency ministry reported the blaze had been localised and said no one was injured.

At about 07:30, the authorities said a drone alert had been declared in the region. It was lifted at 10:30.

However, local residents told the Russian Astra Telegram channel that the fire was in the premises of Electrovypryamitel PJSC, one of Russia's largest manufacturers of power electronics for the needs of the Russian armed forces. Local residents suggested the plant may have been hit by drones.

Astra also analysed footage from eyewitnesses showing a large column of black smoke and concluded that Electrovypryamitel was the site of the blaze.

The company produces rectifiers, inverters, power supplies, converters and other specialised electrical equipment. It is under sanctions by the United States, Canada, the EU, the UK, Switzerland, New Zealand and Japan over its involvement in Russia's state defence orders.

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