Terrible explosions in Zhytomyr: Two enterprises destroyed, 25 houses reduced to ashes

On July 2, 2025, became a true day of tragedy for the residents of Berezina village, located in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. In the evening, several explosions occurred on the territory of two industrial enterprises located near the international highway M-06 Kyiv – Chop. As a result of these explosions, numerous destructive and fatal incidents took place. At present, this incident is in the spotlight of national and international media.

The number of victims and injured is increasing
According to official information, the explosions occurred consecutively at two factories. Eyewitnesses say there was about a three-minute gap between the blasts. This may indicate that the explosions were pre-planned. The head of the Zhytomyr regional military administration, Vitaliy Bunechko, reported that two factory workers died as a result of the explosions. In addition, 24 people sustained various injuries, including four children.

Most of the injured are local residents who suffered from the blast wave in their homes. Some were hospitalized with injuries, and the rest received medical aid on site. It is not excluded that the number of injured may increase over time.

Two factories completely destroyed — causes still unknown
According to Serhii Sokolskyi, head of the Hlubochytska rural community, the two industrial plants were completely destroyed by the explosions. It is not yet known what activities these enterprises were engaged in, what products they produced, or whether hazardous substances were stored there. An official investigation has been launched, and the reasons for the explosions have not yet been disclosed.

Initially, there were reports that an Azerbaijani SOCAR gas station had been damaged by the explosions. However, Vitaliy Bunechko denied these claims, confirming that the SOCAR station was not affected by the incident.

25 residential houses completely destroyed, hundreds left without electricity
Not only industrial facilities were affected by the explosions — residential buildings of local residents also suffered significant damage. According to official data, 25 homes were completely destroyed. It is not yet clear how many were partially damaged, but local authorities promised to provide detailed information soon.

In addition, the explosions severely damaged power lines. According to Zhytomyroblenergo, 735 households were left without electricity. Emergency services are working intensively to restore power.

Traffic temporarily blocked after the explosions, causing congestion
After the incident, police temporarily closed both directions of the M-06 highway and organized detours. This caused significant inconvenience for many citizens, especially in the evening. Long traffic jams formed, and vehicle flow slowed. Later, traffic was partially restored, with one lane opened in each direction. Full traffic flow was only resumed on the morning of July 3.

Local residents advised on safety precautions
The Zhytomyr Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued an appeal to the public following the explosions. Residents were advised to stay indoors, close windows, and avoid going outside. These precautions were taken to protect from potentially harmful substances or dust that may have been released into the air.

An investigation is currently underway. It is not yet officially confirmed whether this was a terrorist act or an industrial accident. Experts are considering all possible versions.

Conclusion: Safety is our shared responsibility
The explosions in Zhytomyr show that such tragedies pose a serious threat not only to one village or region but to the entire country. These events demand a re-evaluation of how safety is approached. Compliance with safety protocols at production facilities, improvement of evacuation systems, and better emergency preparedness are urgent tasks today.

Every citizen, institution, and local government must realize their responsibility and take action to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!