At least two dead as Moscow defence research centre bursts into flames ‘with staff trapped inside’
24 June 2024, 15:46 | Updated: 24 June 2024, 15:53
At least two people have died after a huge explosion rocked a defence research headquarters in Moscow.
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According to Russian media, a huge explosion erupted and a fire broke out at the research centre near Moscow that develops components for Russian fighter jets and air defence systems.
The NII Platan building in Fryazino is on fire with flames seen visible inside the building’s windows.
At least two people have been confirmed dead and there are fears there may be at least seven more still inside.
For 57 years, the Platan Research Institute outside Moscow made tech for Russia's global killing machine, until today. pic.twitter.com/SRv6vBQ9y1
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) June 24, 2024
“Rescuers managed to evacuate one person. According to eyewitnesses, there may be 7 more people in the building. The search for victims continues,” the regional mayor said.
Over 100 firefighters are at the scene and 40 pieces of equipment are involved in putting it out.
One of Russia’s main defense electronics producers and research centers, NII Platan near Moscow, is on fire, with staff trapped inside. According to Platan’s archived website, its components are used in all Russian fighter jets, nuclear launch munitions, S-400 air defenses and… pic.twitter.com/NXjAgekj7B
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) June 24, 2024
The two dead are believed to have jumped from the building’s windows to escape the flames.
The upper stories of the building are on fire.
The building houses one of Russia’s main defence electronics producers where components for fighter jets, nuclear launch munitions, air defences and guided munitions are created.
A Ukraine-based American posted online: “For 57 years, the Platan Research Institute outside Moscow made tech for Russia's global killing machine, until today.”
It comes after six people died in Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, while the second day of Russia's aerial bombing of Ukraine's second largest city of Kharkiv has killed at least one person.
Among the dead in yesterday's attacks were five people - including two children - were killed by falling debris when five Ukrainian missiles were shot down on Sunday in Sevastopol, a port city in Russia-annexed Crimea, said Mikhail Razvozhayev, the city's Moscow-installed governor. More than 100 others were injured.
One person was killed and three were injured in Russia's Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, when three Ukrainian drones attacked the city of Grayvoron, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said 124 people were wounded in Sevastopol, citing the Health Ministry.
