Massive fire engulfs Russian industrial plant, spreading over 9,000 square meters

A massive fire erupted at an industrial plant in Russia's Rostov Oblast on October 13, 2026, spreading across 9,000 square meters, according to Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry. The blaze began in warehouses at the Aksaykardandetal plant in Aksay, near Rostov-on-Don. A wall of one warehouse collapsed as the fire intensified, Interfax reported. The Aksaykardandetal plant produces drive shafts and metal components for agricultural and specialized machinery, and its metalworking capabilities could potentially be used for military equipment. Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 4:10 p.m. local time, with reports indicating it started in a warehouse storing plastic products. All personnel were evacuated from the site. The ministry stated that 98 emergency personnel and 36 vehicles were involved in firefighting operations, which were complicated by strong winds and the presence of large quantities of flammable materials. Footage shared on Telegram showed thick black smoke rising from the area, and local residents were seen lining up at a gas station with the smoke plume in the background. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.