Huge explosion destroys ammunition dump outside Moscow
A series of powerful explosions ripped through one of Russia's largest weapons arsenals, triggering a huge blaze and giant mushroom cloud.
Local authorities declared a state of emergency in the Vladimir region on Tuesday, where footage showed a massive fireball, followed by a pall of smoke.
The initial blast triggered close to a dozen secondary explosions close to Barsovo, a town east of Moscow, where the 51st arsenal of Russia's Main Missile and Artillery Directorate is based.
It is still unclear what caused the explosions which came a day before a new round of peace talks between US, Ukrainian and European officials in London as Washington intensifies its efforts to end the three-year conflict.
Russia's defence ministry said a fire had broken out at the military depot due to a 'violating of safety standards'and claimed that there were no casualties.
'As a result of a fire on the territory of a military unit in the Vladimir region, ammunition stored in a warehouse detonated,' it said, adding that a special commission was investigating the fire.
There has been no comment from Ukraine, whose forces attempted to target the major weapons depot in March.
Baza, a Telegram channel close to security services, said at least 10 to 11 explosions had occurred and firefighters from neighbouring regions had worked to contain the blaze.
Videos posted on social media also showed emergency services vehicles racing towards the site of the blast.
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