A Russian arms depot in the northwestern Tver region caught fire Saturday following a reported Ukrainian drone strike, causing explosions and prompting authorities to close a major highway and evacuate a nearby rail station.
The incident occurred near the town of Toropets, approximately 380 kilometers (240 miles) northwest of Moscow and 500 kilometers (300 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Local Telegram channels reported that a missile depot was targeted, with unverified images showing a large fireball and multiple smoke trails from detonations.
This attack follows a similar strike on Wednesday that injured 13 people and caused a significant fire at another arms depot in the same region.
In a separate incident on Saturday, an ammunition depot and missile arsenal in Russia’s southwestern Krasnodar region also ignited, leading to evacuations. Social media videos depicted bright orange clouds rising over the horizon, accompanied by continuous detonation sounds.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 101 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and occupied Crimea overnight. No immediate casualties were reported in either region.
These strikes represent an escalation in Ukraine’s efforts to target Russian military infrastructure deep within Russian territory, potentially affecting Moscow’s ability to supply its forces in the ongoing conflict.
The attacks have forced Russian authorities to take emergency measures, including closing a 100-kilometer (62-mile) stretch of highway and evacuating civilians from affected areas.
As the conflict continues, these drone strikes demonstrate Ukraine’s increasing capability to conduct long-range operations against strategic Russian targets, potentially altering the dynamics of the war.
AP
