--- title: "Explosion at Ammunition Plant Near Rome: Italy Denies Sabotage Theory but Does Not Rule Out Link to Incidents in Bulgaria" description: "🇮🇹 Italy has denied the theory of a Russian sabotage attack at an ammunition plant near Rome. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto described the explosion as a technical problem. However, the opposition insists on investigating the link to incidents in Bulgaria and a possible hybrid attack. The investigation is ongoing." date: 2026-08-17T18:58:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/explosion-at-ammunition-plant-near-rome-italy-denies-sabotage-theory tags: [italy, defense, knnd, russia, ukraine, explosion, europe] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Explosion at Ammunition Plant Near Rome: Italy Denies Sabotage Theory but Does Not Rule Out Link to Incidents in Bulgaria ![Matteo Salvini amid discussions of the explosion at an ammunition plant near Rome](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/17/vzryv-na-zavode-boepripasov-pod-rimom-italiya-oprogverila-versiyu-o-diversii/vzryv-na-zavode-boepripasov-pod-rimom-italiya-oprogverila-versiyu-o-diversii-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated there is no evidence of Russian involvement in the explosion at the Colleferro plant. - The official version of the incident is an internal technical problem in the powder pressing workshop. - The prosecution is checking for a possible link between the explosion and incidents at military sites in Bulgaria. - The opposition is demanding the government clarify the situation and does not rule out the theory of a hybrid attack. August 17, 2026. The Italian government has commented on the circumstances surrounding the explosion at a defense facility in Colleferro, which occurred on August 13. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto officially stated that authorities have no evidence linking Russia to the incident. According to the head of the defense department, all signs point to an internal technical issue that arose during the production process. ### Official Position: Technical Malfunction Speaking to journalists, Guido Crosetto emphasized that the investigation found no signs of external interference. "No one has any signs that this could be anything other than an internal problem," Reuters quotes the minister. The incident occurred at the KNDS Ammo Italy plant, which specializes in the production of medium and large-caliber ammunition, as well as solid fuel for rockets. The explosion took place in the powder pressing workshop, where a fire first broke out, followed by a powerful explosion. Fortunately, no staff members were injured. ### Questions Regarding Supplies for Ukraine and Links to Bulgaria Despite the denial of the sabotage theory, tension remains surrounding the incident. Officials declined to comment on whether the facility produces ammunition directly for Ukraine, although the KNDS group officially cooperates with Kyiv. At the same time, the Italian prosecution has begun an investigation into a possible link between the explosion near Rome and a series of similar incidents at military sites in Bulgaria. Investigators have not yet made any statements, but the fact of the investigation indicates that the theory of coordinated attacks on the NATO defense sector is not being completely ruled out. ### Contradictory Data There is a clear discrepancy between the official government position and the opinion of the opposition. On one hand, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is confident in the technical nature of the explosion and the absence of signs of sabotage. On the other hand, Carlo Calenda, leader of the opposition party "Azione," believes the government is hiding the true causes. He called for the parliament to be informed immediately, stating: "We cannot remain in uncertainty regarding a possible Russian hybrid attack." The opposition insists that, given the current geopolitical situation, any incident at a defense facility must be viewed through the prism of a possible external threat. ### Reaction from European Defense Giant The Franco-German defense group KNDS, which owns the plant, confirmed the continuation of an internal investigation into all circumstances of the incident. The facility in Colleferro is a key link in the European weapons supply chain. The plant produces products for both the Italian land and naval forces and the aerospace industry. At a time when Europe is ramping up ammunition production to support Ukraine, any disruptions at such facilities attract heightened attention from both allies and potential adversaries. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Explosion at Ammunition Plant in Italy: What is Known](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B0/20260814-%D0%B2%D0%B7%D1%80%D1%8B%D0%B2-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B5-%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%B2-%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D1%87%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%BE) - Источник подтверждает дату инцидента (13 августа), локацию (Коллеферро), владельца завода (KNDS) и отсутствие пострадавших. Ссылается на заявления министра обороны. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Who is responsible for the explosion at the plant near Rome? **A:** Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that the explosion was the result of an internal technical problem, not external interference. ### Q: Is there evidence of Russian involvement in the incident? **A:** The Italian government has officially stated that there is no evidence of Russian involvement in the explosion. ### Q: Does the plant produce ammunition for Ukraine? **A:** Officials left this question unanswered, although the KNDS group officially cooperates with Ukraine.