A powerful explosion at a Russian ammunition depot northeast of Moscow earlier this week injured three soldiers and one civilian, regional authorities told state media Thursday.
Vladimir region Governor Alexander Avdeyev said the blast occurred Tuesday when shells detonated at a storage area of the depot, injuring four people.
One soldier sustained moderate injuries and two others suffered minor wounds, while the fourth victim — a civilian — is being treated at a local hospital, the regional government told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency. Two of the injured soldiers were hospitalized, and one is receiving outpatient care.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the explosion was caused by safety violations at the base, located about 75 kilometers (47 miles) northeast of Moscow.
Earlier, authorities declared a local state of emergency in the Kirzhachsky district, home to the 51st arsenal of the Russian military’s main missile and artillery directorate.
Ukrainian officials said the facility stored around 105,000 metric tons of munitions, including Iskander, Tochka-U and Kinzhal missiles. Media reports dating back to 2009 cited a maximum capacity of 250,000 metric tons.
On Wednesday, Governor Avdeyev said approximately 500 residents were relocated to temporary shelters amid an evacuation order. Gas supplies were cut off to some 40 nearby villages, and 12 settlements remained under emergency orders.
Emergency crews began assessing damage in the affected areas on Thursday, Avdeyev said.
A similar incident at the depot in the summer of 2022 killed five people, and residents of a nearby village were evacuated after a drone strike last year.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
