In Russia’s Tver region on the night of September 18, there was an incident that stirred up the local population: an ammunition depot in the town of Toropets caught fire as a result of a drone attack. Local residents speak of a series of powerful explosions caused by the detonation of ammunition, which led to the partial evacuation of the population.
Tver Region Governor Igor Rudenya immediately took action, ordering the evacuation of residents to the neighboring town of Zapadnaya Dvina. Local air defense forces continue to repel the massive drone attack, but the situation remains tense.
Interestingly, in 2018, an arsenal was built in Toropets, which was then called one of the most protected and modern facilities in Russia. Deputy Defense Minister of the Russian Federation, Army General Dmitry Bulgakov, assured that the arsenal fully meets global security standards, and each storage unit could hold up to 240 tons of ammunition. However, despite such lofty claims, a drone attack exposed the vulnerability of the facility.
That same night, similar incidents were reported in the Bryansk, Smolensk, Tula and Orel regions, suggesting a coordinated attack. Authorities in the Tver region also reported the suspension of kindergartens and schools in Zapadnodvinsk district on September 18 to ensure the safety of children.
The event raises questions about how prepared Russian military installations are for modern threats and how such attacks, which are becoming more frequent, can be prevented in the future.