RUSSIA has declared a state of emergency in one of its regions after Kyiv launched a huge kamikaze drone strike on a missile storage facility.
Video circulating on social media showed explosions erupt in Russia’s Voronezh region after a hit on one of Vlad‘s ammunition dumps.
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Authorities were urgently evacuating residents after the Ukrainians struck around 3am.
A huge blaze burned and there were follow-up explosions throughout the night.
Footage taken from a highway showed constant explosions as the night sky was lit up by bright orange flashes.
A major highway was closed while shells and other munitions exploded.
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The eruptions continued for hours, according to local Telegram channels.
Voronezh governor Alexander Gusev said: “The drone’s impact caused a fire that spread to explosive materials, leading to detonations.”
A state of emergency was declared the Ostrogozhsky district, while hundreds of residents were rushed from Soldatskoye village – about 50 miles west of Belgorod.
Temporary accommodation has been set up for displaced residents, reports say.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Vlad’s forces shot down two drones over the Belgorod region last night.
The ministry said another pair was shot down over Kursk – but stopped short of addressing the Voronezh attack.
Gusev added: “A state of emergency has been declared in the Ostrogozhsky District, where a fire broke out near explosive objects at night and a detonation began.”
The governor said any examination of the damage would have to wait until explosions and fire were brought under control.
He said: “An assessment of possible damage will be carried out only after the consequences of the detonation have been completely eliminated.”
Ukraine appears to have targeted this same ammunition facility before.
Only a fortnight ago, Kyiv’s forces reportedly sent a cruise missile into Russia striking an ammo dump in the same region.
In July, a “security source” told Reuters a facility in Voronezh was a top target.
The source said missiles, tank and artillery shells and bullets were all stored there.
Ukrainians have also put Vlad’s oil depots in the firing lane.