Moscow panic as explosion rocks plant with thick smoke seen from miles

An explosion rocked a plant in the Moscow region on Thursday, April 17. A massive plume of grey smoke could be seen rising from the Vtoralyuminprodukt plant in the city of Lyubertsy, home to more than 220,000 people.

Residents have described seeing a drone falling, according to the blogger Exilenova. A brief video clip shared on social media showed thick smoke billowing into the sky. Posting on X, jounalist and documentary maker Tim White said: "No reason has been given and emergency services are still there, tackling the fire."