Overview
- Rescue crews on Monday reported 20 fatalities and 134 injuries with 31 critically hospitalized at the blast site in Ryazan’s Elastik factory.
- The Russian Investigative Committee launched a penal probe for industrial-safety violations and publicly dismissed any Ukrainian involvement in the explosion.
- Regional governor Pavel Malkov declared a day of mourning to honor the victims and support their families.
- Newly released images from the Ministry of Emergency Situations reveal extensive structural damage to the facility.
- The Elastik plant, which suffered a deadly blast in 2021 and had received prior safety warnings, highlights recurring management and infrastructure failures.