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.
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.”
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.
