A 125 mm artillery shell was reportedly found on the filming set linked to director Andrei Konchalovsky, according to the Telegram channel Basis. The discovery occurred during the preparatory phase for a new movie being shot at the Catherine Palace complex in Lefortovo. The room where the shell appeared is associated with the Armored Forces Academy, which later became the Combined Arms Academy of the Russian Armed Forces. The property is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense, and its security and safety protocols are typically stringent during any on-site production work.
Initial observations from the footage suggest that the item may be a 125 mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile, known as ZOF-26. This type of shell is designed to target personnel, destroy light fortifications, damage engineering installations, and neutralize firing positions. In the context of military equipment, it is aligned with the munitions used by the main battle tanks of the Russian armed forces. The find underscores the importance of meticulous and documented on-site inspections when filming in facilities with a long-standing military heritage and sensitive equipment, where even seemingly inert objects can pose potential risks if mishandled.
In a separate recent report, a World War II era shell was uncovered in the courtyard of a Moscow residential building. This incident, like the current discovery, highlights how historical ordnance can surface in modern urban environments due to decades of urban development, construction, and routine cleanup operations. Specialists involved in such recoveries typically follow well-established safety procedures to verify inertness, prevent accidental detonation, and ensure proper disposal in accordance with military and civil safety regulations.
According to the Telegram channel, the shells were found during a cleanup process intended to clear the area for ongoing or upcoming activities. While such finds are not uncommon in regions with rich military histories, they emphasize the need for coordinated reporting to authorities and prompt, professional assessment. The responsible agencies generally deploy bomb disposal units to perform a controlled examination, isolate the area, and determine whether the munitions are live or deactivated by age or mechanical condition. These steps help protect cast members, crew, and nearby residents from potential harm.
Experts note that the presence of historical and modern ordnance on or near production sites has implications for insurance, security, and scheduling. Film crews typically coordinate with military safety officials to establish temporary exclusion zones, ensure access is restricted to qualified personnel, and establish clear routes for emergency intervention should any risk arise. The incident serves as a reminder that even in environments dedicated to culture and arts, the legacy of past conflicts continues to intersect with contemporary activities, necessitating vigilance and respect for safety protocols at all times.