Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted a significant military depot within Russia, resulting in a massive fire and prompting the evacuation of local residents, according to Ukrainian and Russian sources on Wednesday. The strike allegedly hit Russian military warehouses in Toropets, situated in the Tver region of Russia, approximately 380 kilometers northwest of Moscow and 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
The operation was executed by Ukraine’s Security Service, alongside Ukraine’s Intelligence and Special Operations Forces, as cited by a Kyiv security official who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press. The depot purportedly stored Iskander and Tochka-U missiles, glide bombs, and artillery shells, with the facility catching fire and burning over a 6-kilometer-wide area.
Reports from Russian state news agency RIA Novosti indicated that air defense systems were activated to counter a “massive drone attack” on Toropets, resulting in a fire and the evacuation of some local residents from the town, which has a population of about 11,000. No immediate information was available regarding potential casualties from the strikes.
Successful Ukrainian strikes on targets deep inside Russia have increased as the conflict has progressed, with Ukraine advancing its drone technology. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s undisclosed plan for achieving victory in the war has been acknowledged by a senior U.S. diplomat who expressed confidence in its potential to bring about an end to the prolonged conflict.
Zelenskyy’s strategic approach encompasses targeting Russian military assets within Russia to make civilians feel the impacts of the war, along with seeking Western approval to employ advanced weapons supplied by Western nations. The President’s plan extends beyond military objectives to include diplomatic and economic advancements. The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, affirmed the plan’s effectiveness, noting that it will be discussed with global leaders at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly in New York.
Despite efforts to tackle the conflict through diplomatic and military means, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resolve appears unyielding as he recently ordered a substantial increase in the country’s military personnel numbers. Putin aims to bolster the Russian military by 180,000 troops, totaling 1.5 million by December 1.
