the explosion in Sergiev Posada prevented the production of “Lancets”

In Russia, since August of last year, the production of Lancet drones, which had previously proven themselves at the front as an effective weapon that posed a threat to Ukrainian military equipment even far behind, fell sharply. Forbes magazine writes about it. The publication links the drop in drone production volumes to the explosion and subsequent fire that occurred on August 9 at the Zagorsk Optical and Mechanical Plant in Sergiev Posade near Moscow.

The explosion, the footage of which was widely distributed on social networks, caused a lot of damage to the enterprise, there were reports of deaths and dozens of injuries, as well as damaged buildings even outside the factory complex. According to official information, the plant produces optical and optoelectronic devices. At the same time, it was confirmed that the explosion occurred at the warehouse of the fireworks production company “Pyro Ross”, located on the territory of the plant. Its technical director Sergey Chankaev was arrested.

The state agency TASS then, citing sources, denied that the explosion occurred as a result of a drone strike. However, as Forbes writes with reference to the Ukrainian investigative group “Molfar”, the cause of the explosion “was a planned action by the Ukrainian side” and, apparently, it was indeed a drone strike.

Forbes notes that there is no direct evidence that the Zagorsk plant produced any components for Lancet drones or that it is somehow connected to the main manufacturer of these drones, the company Zala Aero. However, the publication notes that the number of confirmed cases of the use of “Lancets” at the front grew until August, when 126 were recorded, and after August it fell sharply, to 59 in December. “Instead of a sharp increase in the production of Lancet, it was reduced. In August, something happened that prevented Zala from turning the case into a finished product,” Forbes writes, assuming that the Zagorsky plant produced photo equipment for drones. “The decline after August indicates that the new Zala plant cannot produce drones without certain components,” the publication writes.

Forbes does not cite comments from ZOMZ or any Russian agencies.