Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Europe.
Massive Explosion and Evacuation in Russia's Tver Region
A large scale Ukrainian drone attack triggered a massive fire in Russia's Tver region, injuring 13 people, according to the Russian health ministry. Unverified footage circulating online shows a powerful blast in the town of Toropets, where explosions and thick smoke filled the sky. The attack prompted a partial evacuation in the early hours of Wednesday morning, though local authorities later urged residents to return, stating that infrastructure had returned to normal.
Major Military Arsenal Destroyed in Explosions
Ukrainian sources cited by international media report that the drone strike targeted a key military site in Toropets, housing a significant ammunitions depot. The facility reportedly contained fuel tanks, artillery shells, ballistic missiles, and explosives, all of which have been used in Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The estimated value of the destroyed arsenal is nearly £30m ($39m). Satellite imagery from NASA detected multiple heat sources in the area, and a light magnitude earthquake was reported in the surrounding region due to the explosions.
Escalation in Ukraine's Drone Offensive
This attack marks another step in Ukraine's growing confidence in carrying out long range strikes on Russian soil. Toropets is located 380km northwest of Moscow and about 470km from Ukraine's border. Kyiv has increasingly targeted military and strategic locations deep inside Russia, using domestically produced drones in the absence of missile support from its Western allies. Previous strikes have reached up to 1,800km inside Russia, including attacks on military radar installations.
Significance of the Strike for Ukraine's Morale and Message to the West
The destruction of the military site in Toropets is a major success for Ukrainian forces, providing a boost to their morale. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at the strike's success in his Wednesday video address, stating, "There is a significant outcome from last night on the territory of Russia, and this is the type of action that weakens the enemy." The strike is also intended to send a political message to the West that targeting Russian sites helps Ukraine defend itself without escalating the conflict with Moscow.
Russian Authorities Respond with Evacuations and School Closures
Russian officials prepared buses for evacuation in Toropets, a town of 13,000 residents, following the explosions. Although the local authorities claimed the situation was under control, regional schools and kindergartens remained closed on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Russia's defense ministry reported that it had destroyed 54 Ukrainian drones overnight across five regions: Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol, Smolensk, and Belgorod. In Belgorod, a drone attack on a minibus injured four civilians in Shebekino.
Ongoing Air Defense Engagement in Ukraine
At the same time, Ukrainian air defenses were active against Russian drones targeting Kyiv and other regions. Explosions were reported in Sumy, near the Russian border, and local authorities claimed 16 drones were shot down. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 46 of 52 drones launched by Russia overnight, but one person was killed in the Kirovohrad region, and infrastructure damage led to power outages.
This latest drone strike underscores the intensifying conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides engaging in overnight drone warfare and heavy military targeting. The claims made by officials from both countries remain unverified.
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