Kalashnikov Factory Suspends Operations Again

KIROV, Russia -- The Molot factory producing Kalashnikov automatic rifles in Russia's Kirov Oblast has had to suspend operations again, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

One of the Defense Ministry's major industrial facilities has been facing problems for the last eight months due to large unpaid electricity bills.

Earlier this year, Russia's government had to inject significant funds to get the factory running again.

The plant's management says it needs yet more financial assistance from the government.

The factory has plans to reduce production to three days a week as of October 1.