An overnight Ukranian drone attack unleashed a massive explosion inside Russia after blowing up an ammunition depot.
The strike obliterated a depot in Voronezh Oblast containing more than 5,000 US tonnes of weapons. The attack was later confirmed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.
Shocking footage of the attack shows a huge blast cloud billowing into the air, while a fire rages at the military storage depot.
Regional Governor Aleksandr Gusev confirmed that a drone strike caused a fire and “detonation of explosive objects”. No casualties were reported following the attack. It is thought that at least five drones took part in the attack.
Mr Gusev initially blamed falling fragments of destroyed Ukranian drones for the explosion, but videos of the attack have suggested that it was a direct strike.
He posted on Telegram: “Air defence and electronic warfare systems destroyed and jammed several UAVs in Voronezh Oblast.
“As a result of falling wreckage, a fire started, which caused the detonation of explosive objects. No new casualties or damage to civilian buildings have been reported so far.”
Mr Gusev declared an emergency in three villages near the storage warehouse, while nearby highways were shut down.
According to Ukrainian military intelligence, the ammunition depot belonged to the West group of troops of the Russian army.
The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine said that the Russians had stored artillery and tank shells, as well as ammunition for small arms and surface-to-air missiles inside the military facility.
War is Translated, a social media account that monitors global conflict, tweeted footage of the blaze, adding: “The impact must be extremely intense as explosions and fires in Ostrogozhsk have not stopped since early morning.”
In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia‘s military infrastructure and oil industry.
In Voronezh, Ukrainian forces have previously targeted military airfields, oil refineries, and other ammunition depots.
Ukrainian drone attacks received a boost this weekend.
On Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelensky touted a newly developed Ukrainian drone missile that he said would take the war back to Russia.
Mr Zelensky said the new weapon, Palianytsia, was faster and more powerful than the domestically made drones that Kyiv has so far used to fight back against Russia.