A devastating kamikaze drone attack by Ukraine on a Russian arms depot was so powerful that it was detected as an earthquake by NASA sensors. The attack occurred early Wednesday, targeting two missile and ammunition hubs about 235 miles west of Moscow. A massive mushroom cloud rose into the sky, followed by repeated fireball explosions. Russian President Vladimir Putin lost tens of millions of pounds worth of military supplies intended for the war in Ukraine.

NASA satellites detected several heat sources coming from the site during the attack, while earthquake monitoring stations recorded what appeared to be a minor earthquake in the area. The incident led to the evacuation of residents from Toropets and nearby villages. Reports indicate that up to 30,000 tons of munitions were hit in the explosions.

In 2018, Russian state news agency RIA reported that an arsenal for storing missiles, ammunition, and explosives was being built in Toropets, a town with a population of just over 11,000. At the time, Deputy Defence Minister General Dmitry Bulgakov claimed the facility would be explosion-proof, saying, "It protects missiles and munitions from outside impact and ensures proper upkeep. It is explosion and fireproof." Bulgakov has since been arrested as part of a purge of top defence ministry officials over corruption allegations.

Firefighters are currently battling the blaze, according to Igor Rudenya, the governor of the Tver region, where the attack took place. He initially stated on Telegram that air defence forces were "repelling a massive drone attack." Later, the regional government announced a partial evacuation to ensure residents' safety. Schools and kindergartens were also ordered to close due to continuing explosions and toxic smoke.

Many residents reported that no warnings were given about the incoming drones. In addition to the main explosion, satellite data and local footage showed several smaller fires breaking out after the drone strikes, which then spread. Multiple depots in the area, capable of storing up to 240 tons of missiles, ammunition, and explosives, were affected.

Ukrainian war journalist Denis Kazansky described the scale of the explosion as "impressive." He confirmed that the 107th arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of Russia was on fire, with rockets for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), mortar mines, and anti-aircraft missiles stored at the site. The total stockpile was estimated to be around 30,000 tons, and it is possible that North Korean and Iranian missiles were among the ones destroyed in the blast.

Bulgakov had previously boasted about the arsenal, saying it would "hide missiles, munitions, and explosives in concrete and rapidly assembled warehouses." He claimed the facility would "ease the overload on existing facilities, minimise the terrorist threat, and improve the environment in the storage area."

As is common with such incidents, Russian officials downplayed the damage, stating that the explosions were caused by drone debris falling after being shot down by air defences. However, these are typically direct hits by Ukrainian drones evading Russian defences. Russian authorities rarely reveal the full extent of damage caused by Ukrainian attacks.

Ukraine has significantly increased drone attacks on Russian territory in recent years, thanks to a ramp-up in domestic drone production. In September, Ukraine launched its largest-ever drone attack on Moscow, killing at least one person, damaging homes, and disrupting flights at the city’s airports.

Image source: CNBCTV 18