By Ukrainian drones struck a large military depot in Toropets, a town deep inside Russia, overnight Tuesday, causing a significant fire and prompting evacuations, according to Ukrainian officials and Russian news reports.
The strike targeted a town approximately 380 kilometers (240 miles) northwest of Moscow and about 500 kilometers (300 miles) from the Ukrainian border. A Kyiv security official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive operation, claimed the depot housed Iskander and Tochka-U missiles, glide bombs, and artillery shells. The official stated that the facility caught fire in the strike and was burning across an area 6 kilometers (4 miles) wide.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported efforts to repel a “massive drone attack” on Toropets, which has a population of around 11,000. The agency also reported a fire and the evacuation of some local residents. There was no immediate information about casualties.
This attack marks another instance of Ukraine successfully striking targets deep within Russian territory, demonstrating Kyiv’s evolving drone capabilities and strategy. Ukraine’s targeting of Russian military equipment and infrastructure deep inside Russia appears to be part of a broader plan to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recently announced, but still confidential, plan for winning the war. “We think it lays out a strategy and a plan that can work,” Thomas-Greenfield stated, adding that the U.S. will discuss the plan with other world leaders at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly.
The conflict, now in its third year, has seen both sides adapting their strategies. Putin has shown no signs of relenting, recently ordering an increase in Russian troop numbers to 1.5 million by December 1. The U.K. Defense Ministry estimates that the war has likely resulted in over 600,000 Russian casualties.
Zelenskyy’s plan to victory reportedly includes not only battlefield goals but also diplomatic and economic wins. The details remain under wraps, but its discussion at the U.N. General Assembly next week could provide insights into Ukraine’s long-term strategy.
As the conflict continues, international attention remains focused on Ukraine’s ability to sustain its counteroffensive and the potential for diplomatic solutions. The upcoming U.N. General Assembly is expected to be a key forum for discussions on the war’s future trajectory.
apnews.com
