Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Italy sees no Russian link to Colleferro munitions blast
A factory in Italy that makes ammunition for the military had a fire and then a big explosion.
The factory is in a town called Colleferro, near Rome.
Luckily, nobody was hurt.
Some people wondered if Russia caused the explosion, because the factory makes ammunition and there are reports it supplies Ukraine.
Italy's defence minister, Guido Crosetto, said there is no sign that Russia was involved.
He said it looks like an internal problem at the factory.
The company that owns the factory, KNDS, says the cause is still being investigated.
A newspaper reported that investigators are looking at similar explosions at ammunition factories in Bulgaria.
An opposition politician, Carlo Calenda, wants the government to explain what happened to parliament.
He said people should not be left wondering whether it was a Russian attack.
An explosion hit the KNDS Ammo Italy munitions factory in Colleferro, southeast of Rome, on Thursday after firefighters were called to a fire at the site.
No injuries were reported in the blast.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said there is no indication the explosion was anything other than an internal problem, with no sign of Russian involvement.
La Repubblica reported prosecutors are examining possible links to similar incidents at ammunition facilities in Bulgaria; investigators declined to comment.
Opposition leader Carlo Calenda called on the government to brief parliament, saying uncertainty over a possible Russian hybrid attack is unacceptable.
- Who
- Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, opposition leader Carlo Calenda, and the Franco-German defence group KNDS, owner of the KNDS Ammo Italy plant.
- What
- An explosion at the KNDS Ammo Italy munitions factory in Colleferro, with no injuries reported; the government says there is no sign of a Russian link.
- When
- The blast struck on Thursday; Crosetto commented on Monday, Aug 17.
- Where
- Colleferro, southeast of Rome, Italy.
- Why
- The cause remains under investigation; Crosetto said it appears to be an internal problem, while Calenda urged clarity over a possible Russian hybrid attack.
Government view
Opposition view
Cause of the explosion
Government view
Defence Minister Crosetto says there is no indication the blast was anything other than an internal problem and no sign of Russian involvement.
Opposition view
Opposition leader Carlo Calenda says authorities should clarify what happened as soon as possible and that uncertainty over a possible Russian hybrid attack is unacceptable.
- Location
- Colleferro, southeast of Rome, Italy
- Facility
- KNDS Ammo Italy munitions factory
- Blast date
- Thursday (last week)
- Injuries
- None reported
- Minister's assessment
- No indication of Russian involvement; likely an internal problem
- Company statement
- Circumstances of the incident remain under investigation
- Facility output
- Medium- and large-calibre ammunition for land and naval defence systems, plus solid propellants for aerospace launch vehicles
- Ukraine reports
- Government has not commented on reports the plant produces ammunition for Ukraine