Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack Hits Russian Arsenal
Explosive Incident in Tver Region
On Wednesday, the Tver region in Russia experienced a significant drone attack carried out by Ukraine, resulting in a massive explosion and a partial evacuation of nearby residents. The incident took place near a substantial Russian arsenal, with reports indicating a dramatic scene of destruction. Social media videos captured a massive fireball erupting into the night sky and explosions reverberating across a lake in the region.
NASA and Earthquake Monitoring Reports
NASA satellites detected several sources of activity from the explosion site in the early hours of the morning. Earthquake monitoring stations also picked up what appeared to be a minor tremor, suggesting the scale of the blast. Igor Rudenya, the governor of the Tver region, confirmed that firefighters were on the scene trying to control the fire. However, he did not provide details on what exactly was burning.
Historical Context of the Arsenal
According to a 2018 report by RIA state news agency, Russia had been constructing a significant arsenal in Toropets, a historic town with a population of just over 11,000. This facility was intended for storing missiles, ammunition, and explosives. Russian state media had previously indicated that this was a major arsenal for conventional weapons. There is currently no information about casualties related to this explosion.
Explosion Size and Verification
The size of the explosion, as shown in the unverified social media footage, was estimated by George William Herbert from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies to involve 200 to 240 tons of high explosives. Reuters has not yet been able to confirm if the arsenal reported by state media was indeed the target of the attack. The Russian defense ministry has not responded to requests for comment.
Impact on Local Education and Regional Defense
In response to the incident, schools and kindergartens in the Zapadnodvinsky district, which borders Toropetsky district, have moved to online learning. This shift was reported by the district administration on VKontakte.
Russian state news agencies also reported that Russia’s air defense units intercepted 54 Ukrainian drones launched overnight against five western Russian regions. Despite these reports, no damages were reported from these drone attacks. Notably, the Tver region was not included in the defense ministry’s report.
Ongoing Drone Attacks and Ukrainian Strategy
Reuters has not independently verified all aspects of these reports, and there has been no immediate response from Ukraine. Kyiv has previously stated that its strikes on Russia target critical military, energy, and transport infrastructure vital to Moscow’s war efforts. As Ukraine has ramped up its domestic drone production, attacks on Russian territory have intensified, including a major drone strike on Moscow last September that resulted in casualties, damaged homes, and disrupted flights.