On the evening of November 14, residents of Voronezh reported a powerful hum and a bright glow in the sky above the city. According to preliminary reports, the source of the noise was the Chemical Automation Design Bureau (KBKhA), a strategic enterprise of Roscosmos specializing in the development of liquid-propellant rocket engines. Local Telegram channels are publishing videos of a huge orange glow visible from various neighborhoods.

KBKhA, located in northwest Voronezh, is a global leader in the development of liquid-propellant rocket engines for the Soyuz, Proton, and Angara launch vehicles, as well as Iskander-class combat missiles. The company is part of the Voronezh Rocket Engine Manufacturing Center, which combines KBKhA and the Voronezh Mechanical Plant.

Experts believe the glow was caused not by a fire, but by scheduled hot-fire tests of the engines. Such tests at KBKhA's facilities are accompanied by flame flashes and noise levels reaching 150 decibels. The last tests of the RD-0124MS for the Soyuz-5 took place in September 2025.