Fri Sep 20 08:48:24 UTC 2024: ## Ukrainian Drone Strike Devastates Russian Arms Depot Near Moscow
**Tver, Russia** – Satellite imagery released by Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies reveals the devastating impact of a massive Ukrainian drone attack on a critical Russian arms depot located near the town of Toropets, approximately 400 kilometers west of Moscow. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of September 18, reportedly wiped out the depot, causing widespread destruction and fires across a 14 square kilometer area.
The strike, involving over 100 drones, ignited massive fireballs, sending plumes of smoke and debris into the air, and triggering seismic activity equivalent to a minor earthquake. The heat from the blaze was detected by NASA satellites. The incident prompted a partial evacuation of residents in Toropets, a town of approximately 11,000 people, and resulted in 13 hospitalizations with moderate injuries. No deaths were reported, although Russian media reported as many as 20 injuries.
The depot, built in 2018, was designed to be highly fortified and protected from air and missile strikes, according to former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov. The facility stored a significant amount of munitions, including missiles, glide bombs, and other weaponry, estimated to be worth around $38 million.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the success of the attack, stating it was “very important” and “spectacular” but emphasized that “not enough” had been done. While Kyiv rarely claims responsibility for drone attacks on Russian soil, a Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) source confirmed that the SBU, in collaboration with the Intelligence and Special Operations Force, carried out the operation.
The attack on the Russian arms depot underscores the escalating conflict in Ukraine and the growing reliance on drone warfare tactics. It also highlights the vulnerability of even heavily fortified military installations to sophisticated drone strikes.
First Piper 