A massive explosion was seen over Russian territory after Ukraine launched a drone strike targeting a key missile and ammunition depot. The strike occurred about 235 miles west of Moscow, engulfing the region in a massive inferno. The facility believed to house approximately 30,000 tons of munitions, ignited in a series of blasts that forced evacuations in the nearby town of Toropets and surrounding villages.
Reports indicate that Russian air defenses shot down 54 Ukrainian drones on Wednesday morning, but Russia has remained tight-lipped about any potential casualties or material losses from the attack. According to Express, despite the silence, local sources continue to report detonations in the area.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian President's Office, shared a video of the explosion, emphasizing the necessity of "demilitarizing Russia" to end what he described as terror. His words, coupled with the footage, underscored Ukraine's determination to target key military assets deep inside Russian territory.
Igor Rudenya, Governor of the Tver region, confirmed that air defense forces were actively repelling the drone assault over Toropets. In response to the escalating situation, Rudenya ordered a partial evacuation of the region to ensure the safety of residents.
At the same time, emergency services worked to contain the blaze and manage the ongoing air defense operations. Schools and kindergartens were also closed due to the hazardous smoke billowing from the explosions.
Ukrainian war correspondent Denis Kazansky remarked on the scale of the blast, noting that the 107th arsenal of Russia's Main Missile and Artillery Directorate was now in flames. He highlighted the significance of the attack on such a critical military facility.
The Toropets depot, constructed in 2018, had been touted as an explosion- and fireproof by Russian officials, including then-Deputy Defense Minister General Dmitry Bulgakov. However, Bulgakov was later arrested as part of a corruption investigation launched by President Vladimir Putin, which targeted various defense officials.
As the war continues, Russian forces have been advancing in Eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian troops hold positions within Russia’s Kursk region. Ukraine has been persistently urging Western allies to approve the use of advanced weaponry, such as Britain's Storm Shadow missiles, in strikes against Russian targets.
British military officials are increasingly advising Prime Minister Keir Starmer to back Ukraine in launching attacks on Russian soil using these missiles. Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, urged the UK to support Ukraine's use of Storm Shadows against Russian military infrastructure, including airbases, logistics hubs, and command centers. He argued that such actions were necessary to help Ukraine gain dominance over Russia on the battlefield, which would also serve the interests of Western Europe.
Meanwhile, Russian state news agency TASS reported that the drone attack on Toropets caused fires due to falling debris, though it did not explicitly acknowledge the targeting of a weapons depot. Verified videos circulating on social media showed loud explosions and multiple buildings within the depot complex on fire.
Local authorities confirmed that 11 children and other residents had been evacuated to nearby towns. Governor Rudenya, in a video statement, emphasized that the evacuation was necessary to allow emergency services to fully control the situation and maintain public order amidst the chaos.
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