Enormous Russian Arms Depot Explodes, Emptying Nearby Villages

Newsweek

23-04-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Flames engulfed an arsenal containing more than 100,000 tons of weapons and missiles in a Russian region following explosions that prompted the evacuation of neighboring areas.
Russian state media confirmed that there had been explosions on Tuesday at the arsenal near Kirzhach in the Vladimir region, but authorities denied there were casualties and blamed the incident on a violation of safety requirements regarding explosives.
Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the incident, which is the latest to hit a Russian military facility. Newsweek has contacted the Russian and Ukrainian Defense Ministries for comment.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Moscow on December 16, 2024.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Moscow on December 16, 2024.Why It Matters
Ukrainian Telegram channels, media and open-source military observers have speculated that the explosions may have been the result of a Ukrainian long-range drone strike.
These claims have not been independently verified, and Ukrainian authorities have provided no confirmation—though one official noted that the site contained rocket launchers, ammunition and missiles that Russia has used against Ukraine.
What To Know
Explosions erupted on Tuesday at the arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate in Vladimir.
The site, which is 40 miles north of Moscow and about 330 miles from the Ukrainian border, spans 502 hectares and serves as a critical storage facility for Russia's military.
Astra, an independent Russian media outlet, said residents reported a powerful blast followed by continued secondary detonation and that drones could be heard beforehand.
Russia's Defense Ministry said the fire erupted at the site because of a violation of safety protocols when working with explosive materials.
Explosions reported near military base in Kirzhachsky district, Vladimir region — local media
A road leading from Moscow to Kirzhach has reportedly been blocked.
Residents say smoke from the explosions can be seen above the village of Barsovo. The area houses the Arsenal of the… pic.twitter.com/H1soMmk1R4 — ASTRA (@ASTRA_PRESS) April 22, 2025
The Russian Emergencies Ministry said a military unit, seven settlements and 12 holiday villages had been evacuated, and Russian media reported that nearby homes were also damaged. Four people were injured, according to Vladimir Oblast Governor Aleksandr Avdeyev.
Without Kyiv claiming responsibility, Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, said the site stored about 105,000 tons of weapons, including Iskander, Tochka-U and Kinzhal missiles—all of which have been used to strike Ukrainian infrastructure.
The depot also contained ammunition for Pantsir-S1, S-300 and S-400 air defense systems and Grad, Smerch and Uragan multiple rocket launchers, Kovalenko added.
Ukrainian and military sources speculated that the explosion might have been caused by a Ukrainian long-range drone strike, potentially involving the domestically produced Palianytsia turbojet drone missile system.
What People Are Saying
Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, wrote on Telegram: "The 51st GRAU arsenal burned [thoroughly], with secondary detonations; the fire engulfed it almost completely."
What Happens Next
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has set up a team to investigate the incident.
On Wednesday, Russian air defenses opened fire against drones in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia's Tatarstan region—where Shahed-type drones are produced, according to Astra—and Ukrainian strikes on sites deep inside Russia are likely to continue.