Ukroboronprom Chief Resigns After Vishnevoye Blast
Ukroboronprom chief German Smetanin resigned after the Vishnevoye depot blast, as investigators cited ammunition storage violations and dismissed staff.
German Smetanin, chief executive of Ukraine’s state-controlled defense industry group Ukroboronprom, has resigned following an explosion at an ammunition depot in Vishnevoye, local media reported.
On the morning of July 6, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russian forces had struck several Ukrainian military enterprises. The targets it identified included the Vizar machine-building plant in Vishnevoye, which repairs surface-to-air missile systems.
Secondary explosions were recorded at the facility after the strike. Authorities ordered an evacuation in Vishnevoye, a city near Kiev, while numerous residential buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Vladimir Zelensky later said the Security Service of Ukraine had identified Ukroboronprom employees who had allowed weapons depots to be placed in Vishnevoye despite official safety requirements. He said those responsible had been identified and should face legal accountability.
The heads of two companies within the group and several other employees were subsequently dismissed. Preliminary findings from the investigation indicated that ammunition storage regulations had been violated.
Ukroboronprom said those found responsible could face criminal prosecution in addition to losing their jobs. Following the incident, inspections of ammunition storage conditions were launched across all enterprises belonging to the defense group.
The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly maintained that Russian forces strike only Ukrainian military and energy facilities, as well as infrastructure connected to them.