A Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian missile facility in Toropets, north of Moscow, resulted in massive explosions and fire that could be seen from space and triggered earthquake monitors. Tver Gov. Igor Rudenya reported that all drones in the region were shot down and a fire broke out following the attack. Some schools and kindergartens were closed as firefighters worked to contain the blazes. The attack, carried out by Ukrainian drones, targeted a warehouse storing missiles and explosives belonging to the Russian military to reduce their missile potential and protect Ukrainian cities from further attacks.
The explosion was equivalent to 200-240 tons of high explosives, according to experts. Russia’s defense ministry reported that its air defense systems destroyed 54 drones launched against five western Russian regions. Since the invasion in Feb. 2024, Russia has been bombing Ukraine, while Ukraine has been retaliating with drone attacks on military targets in Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seeking to use long-range Western weapons to strike deeper into Russia, but faces restrictions from the US and other allies. The US and other Western countries are considering lifting these restrictions, causing anger and threats of retaliation from the Kremlin.
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