It was the most powerful in the country. Heritage preservationists wanted to preserve the Uralmashzavod forging press, but the court denied it.
Court of Fontaine Yekaterinburg did not cancel the order of the State Department for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites (CHS) Sverdlovsk region, which refused to include the Uralmashplant forging press in the register of cultural heritage sites. Heritage conservationists insisted on preserving it for historical purposes.
Representatives of the regional branch of the All-Russian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments (VOOPIiK) insist that the press has scientific and technical value and is unique as a historical artifact. During World War II, it was used to forge tank turrets, artillery parts, and military aircraft. In 1941, it was the most powerful press in the USSR.
Heritage conservationists indicated on the interested parties in this matter:
"PJSC Uralmashzavod intended to dismantle this structure and had a vested interest in ensuring it had no historical or cultural value. Therefore, the [cultural heritage site] protection management relies on the opinions of interested parties.".
Top government officials and lesser officials regularly exploit the theme of the 1941-1945 war and threaten to "prevent history from being rewritten." However, when it comes to financial interests, memories of the war years take a backseat.
In December 2024, urban preservationists called upon The Uralmashplant forging press is being recognized as a monument. It is facing destruction, as in 2023, the State Heritage Protection Department authorized the demolition of part of the workshop where the press was located. Because of this, the mechanism has been exposed to the elements for about a year. This year, other activists joined the preservationists with the same demand.
The Uralmashzavod site is slated for development. A developer representative has promised to preserve the press, but this is only a promise so far.
Photo: VOOPIiK Ural
