Explosion at a landfill near Orenburg: a giant «mushroom» of purple smoke was filmed

A giant «mushroom» of purple smoke rises near Orenburg after explosion at missile range - rosmedia

In Russia's Orenburg region, a missile test site in the a massive purple-red cloud of smoke, The shape of which resembles a «mushroom». Russian media and Telegram channels published photos from the scene.

According to preliminary data, before the smoke appeared, there were a loud explosion is heard, After that, a large coloured cloud formed over the landfill, visible for several kilometres.

What we know now

There is no official version from the Russian Ministry of Defence, but Russian sources suggest that it is possible:

• could have happened a failed attempt to launch a missile, that exploded in midair;

• the explosion occurred during testing of new weapons;

• due to the unusual colour of the smoke, the probability of use is discussed Specific rocket fuel or explosive components.

Could it have been a nuclear test?

Some Russian propaganda Telegram channels speculate on the topic of «nuclear weapons», but There is no evidence of this.

Purple-red smoke is more commonly associated with:

• detonation of rocket fuel components,

• an explosion of oxidants that change the colour of the cloud,

• combustion of nitrogen compounds in the event of a rocket accident.

The experts have not yet provided official conclusions.

Context.

The Orenburg region is one of the key sites of Russia's missile test sites, where training launches and tests are regularly conducted. Accidents and failed launches have occurred there before, but not to such an extent bright explosive clouds is rarely recorded.