A significant explosion at an ammunition depot in Toropeț, Russia, attributed to a Ukrainian drone strike, has sparked outrage among prominent military bloggers and Kremlin propagandists.
Calls For Deeper Investigation
Reports indicate that between 19,000 and 30,000 tons of munitions were stored at the facility, with NASA and ESA satellites capturing ongoing fires in the aftermath of the attack, according to Digi24.
Military blogger Rybar criticized official statements claiming that the blaze was caused by drone debris, arguing instead that the severity of the incident warranted a deeper investigation. He highlighted that the depot, inaugurated in 2018, was meant to meet global standards for munitions storage.
This raises questions about the competence of Russian military infrastructure and the oversight of former Deputy Minister of Defense Dmitri Bulgakov, who is currently under investigation for corruption.
Questioning Facility Design
Another military commentator, using the pseudonym "Fighterbomber," posed a rhetorical question regarding the adequacy of the depot's defenses, questioning whether the incident reflected more on the facility's design than on the drone strike itself.
He pointed out the absurdity of storing vast quantities of ammunition in a supposedly secure location.
The explosion reportedly released the equivalent of 500 freight cars of munitions, raising alarms about Russia's ammunition reserves. Sources suggest that the depot may have housed various missile types, including Iskander ballistic missiles and S-300 air defense systems.
Polish military expert Maciej Korowaj estimated that the loss represents enough artillery shells for approximately 40 days of combat, based on Russian logistical tables.
