The 51st ammunition arsenal, which Ukraine has already hit, explodes near Moscow
Just 60 km from the Russian capital, near the town of Kirzhach in the Vladimir region, one of Russia's key ammunition storage bases, the 51st Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRU), exploded.
Here's What We Know
This is the same facility that Ukraine successfully attacked in the summer of 2024. Video from the scene shows a powerful detonation, probably of solid-fuelled missiles.
The 51st GRU arsenal is located 530 km from the border with Ukraine and covers an area of about 3.5 square kilometres. It had 45 storage facilities and 30 ammunition storage sites with a capacity of up to 264,000 tonnes.
The arsenal did not have a narrow specialisation, so it stored a wide range of ammunition: from artillery shells and missiles to ATGMs to anti-aircraft and ballistic missiles of tactical systems. In addition to storage, the facility was used for ammunition maintenance.
Videos distributed by local residents show a large-scale detonation typical of the explosion of solid-fuel missiles, such as anti-aircraft, ballistic or multiple launch rockets. In addition, continuous explosions are heard, and the Russians report repeated powerful detonations.
This arsenal is located in the area of Russia's densest air defence system, making it particularly difficult to hit. Russia has not raised any alarms about possible attacks by Ukrainian drones or missiles, which could indicate the use of other means or a failure of Russian air defences.
Local authorities, including the governor of the Vladimir region, Alexander Avdeev, officially acknowledged the explosion and warned of responsibility for spreading unofficial information.
Source: Telegram
