In a series of attacks over the past week, Ukraine targeted three arms depots in Russia using domestically produced weapons. These strikes are seen as a demonstration of Ukraine’s ability to hit targets deep inside Russia and are calling upon Western allies to lift restrictions on missile use. The attack on the Toropets depot in the Tver region reportedly caused the explosion of 30,000 tonnes of munitions, equivalent to 750,000 artillery shells. The UK Ministry of Defence assessed that the Toropets depot was vital for Moscow’s operations in Ukraine and recent improvements were due to previously poor storage practices. The explosions at the depot were likely triggered by chain reactions within the bunker system, resulting in a significant impact on Russian operations in the coming months.
Subsequent attacks by Ukrainian forces targeted depots in Oktyabrsky and Tikhoretsk, with the latter containing at least 2,000 tonnes of munitions, including weapons provided by North Korea. It was described as one of the key storage facilities in the Russian military’s logistics system by the Ukrainian General Staff. The Tikhoretsk depot, which had been expanded to store munitions closer to the front lines, was hit using domestically produced weapons. Russian officials reacted by claiming that Ukrainian drones had been intercepted and causing fires that led to detonations. Ukraine’s defence minister stated that over 200 military facilities in Russia had been destroyed or damaged over the past year using drone swarm technology, reaching as far as Murmansk and the Volga region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine used domestically produced weapons to target Russian arms depots, including tactical missiles and guided aerial bombs. He highlighted the significance of the attacks on the Russian occupier’s arsenal, without specifying the type of weapon used. Russia responded by claiming that Ukrainian drones had sparked fires and caused explosions at the targeted depots, leading to evacuations of nearby residents. Ukraine’s use of UAV technology, particularly deep into Russian territory, aims to demonstrate to Western allies that concerns about escalations are exaggerated, especially in response to Kremlin’s threats of all-out war with NATO. Ukraine has previously crossed red lines, such as partially destroying the Russian Black Sea Fleet, to showcase its military capabilities and resilience against Russian aggression.
The attacks on Russian arms depots by Ukraine using domestically produced weapons have raised concerns internationally and have prompted discussions about lifting restrictions on missile use against Russian targets. The strikes, including the ones on the Toropets, Oktyabrsky, and Tikhoretsk depots, have caused significant explosions and damage to Russian munitions storage facilities. The use of drone swarm technology by Ukraine to target military facilities deep within Russia has further highlighted Kyiv’s ability to strike key enemy assets. The attacks have also exposed vulnerabilities in Russia’s munitions storage and maintenance practices, leading to chain reactions of explosions within the depots. The use of UAV technology by Ukraine is not only a military strategy but also a political statement to show its allies in the West that the Kremlin’s threats of all-out war with NATO are baseless and exaggerated.
The attacks on Russian arms depots by Ukraine have showcased Kyiv’s military capabilities and resilience against Russian aggression. By targeting key enemy assets with domestically produced weapons, Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to strike deep inside Russian territory, causing significant damage to munitions storage facilities. The use of drone swarm technology to target military facilities over long distances has also proven effective in disrupting Russian operations and demonstrating Kyiv’s advanced military capabilities. The attacks have prompted discussions about lifting restrictions on missile use against Russian targets and have raised concerns internationally about the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine’s ability to cross red lines and challenge Russian aggression has further solidified its position as a key player in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
