Vladimir Putin in crisis as mass poisoning breaks out at major Russian military factory

The plant is part of Russia's military-industrial complex and develops, repairs and produces aircraft engines.

Putin is facing a health crisis in Ufa (Image: Getty)

Vladimir Putin is facing a huge crisis after 14 workers at a Russian aircraft factory were rushed to hospital after being taken ill with suspected food poisoning.

The incident occurred at the ODK Engine-Building Production Association in Ufa, which is the capital city of Russia's Bashkorostan Republic.

The plant is part of Russia's military-industrial complex and develops, repairs, and produces aircraft engines.

It also manufactures gas pumping units, as well as designing and repairing helicopters.

The ODK Engine-Building plant in Ufa (Image: Google Maps)

In total 21 people went down with the sickness, which health officials believe was caused by a norovirus.

Russian health officials said in a statement: "The cause of the group poisoning of the UMPO plant workers was a norovirus infection.

"According to preliminary data from the epidemiological investigation, the source of the infection is the employees from the canteen."

They added: "Administrative measures will be taken. Those responsible will be held accountable."

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Scientists from the Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology are checking samples of food products and raw materials.

It comes as Russian partisans blew up a goods train in Bashkorostan, causing 22 carriages to derail.

An explosive device was placed under the carriage of a goods train that was transporting coal.

Russian police have arrested a 31-year-old man from the Stavropol region in connection with the attack.

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