On September 18, 2024, a substantial Ukrainian drone assault struck a Russian military arsenal in the Tver region, resulting in significant explosions and partial evacuations. The attack targeted Toropets, a town with over a millennium of history, located approximately 400 km west of Moscow and near the Belarusian border.
The assault on the Russian facility led to a series of detonations and a large fire. Igor Rudenya, the governor of the Tver region, confirmed that firefighters were working to contain the blaze. The incident prompted the partial evacuation of residents in the vicinity of the arsenal.
NASA satellites detected multiple heat sources emanating from the site in the early hours of Wednesday. Concurrently, earthquake monitoring stations registered what sensors interpreted as a minor seismic event in the area, likely due to the force of the explosions.
The targeted facility, constructed in 2015 at a cost of 3.6 billion roubles (approximately $39 million), serves as a storage site for missiles, ammunition, and explosives. Put into operation in 2018, the arsenal boasts advanced features including cold and heated storage rooms, electrical substations, treatment facilities, water and fuel storage tanks, and over a hundred fire ponds.
Dmitry Bulgakov, the former deputy defence minister who oversaw the arsenal's development, stated in 2018 that the facility's concrete storage units were designed to protect against air and missile strikes, and even withstand the effects of a nuclear explosion. Each storage unit can accommodate up to 240 tons of materials. The complex also includes accommodations for up to 200 military personnel.
It's worth noting that Bulgakov was arrested earlier in 2024 on corruption charges, which he denies. This incident raises questions about the effectiveness of the arsenal's defenses, given its purported ability to resist various forms of attack.
The strike on Toropets, a town with just over 11,000 residents, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, assessing the potential ramifications of this bold military action by Ukrainian forces deep within Russian territory.