A massive mushroom cloud erupted deep inside Russian territory after Ukraine targeted a key ammunition and missile depot in a massive drone attack this morning.
Images show the massive fireball just 235 miles west of Moscow deep inside Russia.
The massive repeated explosions prompted the evacuation of Toropets and nearby villages as facilities believed to store up to 30,000 tons of missiles and ammo went up in flames.
Russia has claimed to have shot down 54 Ukrainian drones launched Wednesday morning and has not commented on potential casualties.
Local reports claim that explosions are still ongoing.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, released a video showing the explosion in Toropets.
He added: “The demilitarization of Russia is necessary to end terror.”
Igor Rudenya, the governor of the Tver region, said: “Air defence forces continue to repel a massive drone attack in the sky above [Toropets].”
His regional government later said that “in order to ensure the safety of residents, the governor … decided to partially evacuate the population from the territory where air defence forces are working and the fire is being localised.”
Schools and nurseries in the area were ordered to close due to the toxic smoke in the air following the explosions.
Ukrainian war journalist Denis Kazansky said: “The scale of the detonation of the warehouse in the Tver region is impressive….
“The 107th arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Federation is on fire.”
Back in 2018, RIA state media reported that Russia was building an arsenal of missiles, ammunition, and explosives at the facility in Toropets.
At the time, then Deputy Defence Minister General Dmitry Bulgakov said “It protects missiles and munitions from outside impact and ensures proper upkeep. It is explosion and fireproof.”
Bulgakov was later arrested as President Vladimir Putin purged defence officials in a corruption probe.
The latest Ukraine strike comes as Russia continues to advance in the east of Ukraine while Kyiv’s forces remain in Russia‘s Kursk region.
Ukraine is also urging Western leaders to permit them to use their weapons to strike Russian territory.
British Military chiefs have told Prime Minister Keir Starmer to give Ukraine the greenlight to strike Russia with British Storm Shadow missiles.
Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, told the i “We should not be intimidated or bullied by Putin’s threats.
“We should allow Ukraine to use UK Storm Shadow against legitimate Russian military targets within Russia, such as airbases, logistic depots, and command centres.
“We need to help them to dominate Russia on the battlefield. This is in the best interests of Kyiv and all in Western Europe.”