Fire breaks out at nuclear missile engine factory in Russia, with hundreds of workers evacuated 

A major fire broke out today at a factory that produces engines for Vladimir Putin’s armed forces, including Russian nuclear missiles.

The inferno started in the administrative division of Yaroslavl Motor Plant – also known as Avtodizel – 270 kilometers northeast of Moscow.

About 218 staff members were evacuated as flames tore through the building, sending thick black smoke into the air. At least seven had to be rescued from the carnage.

The plant produces engines for the Topol-M nuclear missile system and multiple other equipment used by the Russian armed forces, including Ural trucks.

Ukraine has said it is responsible, through sabotage groups or supporters, for a spate of explosions and fires in Russian in recent months, many at strategic facilities.

The plant produces engines for the Topol-M nuclear missile system (pictured) and multiple other equipment used by the Russian armed forces, including Ural trucks

The emergency services have launched a major operation to contain the fire.

The extent of the damage – and whether there will be a delay in equipment for Putin’s war against Ukraine – is not clear.

The Yaroslavl plant is one of the largest Russian enterprises producing multi-purpose diesel engines, clutches, gearboxes and spare parts.

Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Major General Kyrylo Budanov, told Forbes last month that Russia saw many unusual explosions and fires.

“A lot of this is no coincidence,” he said. “Something is constantly on fire [in Russia].

‘Signal equipment on the track, which burns several times a day, traffic is at a standstill on various highways for two to three hours, sometimes five to six hours.’

He admitted that Kiev is behind some sabotage attacks. “Obviously it doesn’t just happen…. I would put it this way: money works wonders.’

The latest count suggests that there have been as many as 100 unexplained fires in Russia since March 22, 2022 – nearly a year to the day.

While most of the attacks have been recorded in western Russia, closer to the border with Ukraine, some have also been deep in eastern Russia.

Several oil refineries have gone up in flames in what are believed to have been acts of sabotage to hinder Russia’s ability to wage war across the border.

Pipelines and warehouses have also suffered a similar fate.

But while such sites are expected to be targeted in wartime, firing on targets in key cities such as Moscow and St Petersburg has raised significant eyebrows.

For example, a shopping center near Moscow was destroyed by a fire that tore through the building in December.

More recently, on March 16, at least one person was killed in a fire at a building used by the Russian secret service FSB in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.

About 218 staff members were evacuated as flames tore through the building (photo, file photo) sending thick black smoke into the air. At least seven had to be rescued from the carnage

Pictured: A Topol-M missile is tested in a video released by Russia

Video shows an FSB building engulfed in flames as plumes of black smoke fill the sky after it caught fire in Rostov-on-Don earlier this month

A series of explosions shook the building, which belongs to the FSB’s border patrol division, before it caught fire.

The RT-2PM2 Topol-M is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles deployed by Russia.

It was the first to be developed after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Russia has said the Topol-M has the ability to evade missile defense systems, including those in service with the US military or planned for the future.