Explosions were reported in the Russian city of Cheboksary on Friday, May 29, prompting air raid alerts and disruptions at the local airport, according to Russian Telegram channels and local media.
Residents reported hearing multiple blasts across several districts of the city, while videos circulating online appeared to show smoke rising above parts of Cheboksary. Authorities reportedly broadcast missile danger warnings over radio and television, urging residents to remain alert.
Cheboksary, the capital of Russia’s Chuvash Republic, is located roughly 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) northeast of Ukraine’s border.
Cheboksary Mayor Stanislav Trofimov dismissed reports of explosions as false. However, local reports said flights at the city’s airport were canceled and passengers were asked to leave the terminal building.
ASTRA reported that an explosion occurred near the territory of the V.I. Chapaev Cheboksary Production Association, based on OSINT analysis of footage from the scene. According to the outlet, a fire broke out in immediate proximity to the facility.
The enterprise is part of the Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec and is known for producing Alazan anti-hail rockets used to protect agricultural areas. However, at least 30% of the plant’s production portfolio is reportedly linked to defense contracts, according to ASTRA.
Cheboksary is also home to VNIIR-Progress – a defense-linked enterprise that manufactures navigation and communications components used by the Russian military.
The factory, part of the ABS Electro industrial group, produces GNSS receivers and antenna systems for Russia’s GLONASS satellite navigation network as well as GPS and Galileo-compatible modules. Among its products are Kometa-series navigation modules that have been identified in Russian Shahed-type attack drones, Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles and UMPK guided bomb kits.
In addition to navigation equipment, the company manufactures electrical systems including relays, circuit breakers and contactless control modules supplied to the Russian Navy, including vessels associated with the Yasen-M nuclear-powered submarine program.