A Ukrainian kamikaze drone reportedly struck Vladimir Putin’s Satan-2 nuclear missile, causing a massive explosion yesterday morning.
A secret ammunition silo at Toropets in the Tver region, housing one of Putin’s nuclear missiles, was hit by a Ukrainian drone, it was claimed.
This incident occurred just 16 kilometres from a 30,000-tonne munitions storage site that was destroyed on Wednesday. The explosion from the ‘Satan-2’ missile impact caused panic among locals due to fears of a Doomsday scenario.
A Russian Telegram channel claimed the missile was destroyed, with a news blackout intensifying the rumour.
Another site, allegedly housing North Korean missiles supplied by Kim Jong Un to Putin, was also reportedly hit.
Ukraine destroyed one of Russia’s largest weapons depots.
A drone swarm struck the depot in Toropets in the Tver region, 480 km from the frontlines.
The explosion destroyed hundreds of S-300, S-400, Iskander & North Korean ballistic missiles, causing a 2.8 magnitude earthquake pic.twitter.com/Ht6Y7put4C
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 18, 2024
Mushroom clouds and igniting shells illuminated the night sky at this facility in Tikhoretsk, Krasnodar region, from a precise Ukrainian drone strike.
An unconfirmed report suggested hundreds of Russian troops might have been stationed at the 23rd GRAU arsenal in Oktyabrsky, Tver region.
Their fate remains unknown, but there are fears of casualties at both exploded depots.
NASA satellite imagery showed ongoing fires at the Tver site, disrupting a main railway line and leading to the evacuation of Staraya Toropa station.
The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported, “The number of fires is increasing every minute.”
Russia claimed to have downed 101 Ukrainian kamikaze drones overnight through air defences.
Russian sources claimed the explosions were due to debris from shot-down drones, but most experts, including pro-war Moscow analysts, suspect direct hits. Russian officials rarely disclose the full extent of damage from Ukrainian attacks.
Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of Krasnodar region, stated on his Telegram channel that Tikhoretsk was “subjected to a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime.”
The detonation site is believed to be a base of military unit 57229-41.
Ukraine’s drone strike may have hit a storage site or element of the Satan-2 (RS-28 Sarmat) missile system – The Mirror.
A drone strike could have damaged these missiles or their storage facilities, which would be a major blow to Russia’s military arsenal, especially given that… pic.twitter.com/e25A9ZJhNU
— Meanwhile in Ukraine (@MeanwhileInUA) September 21, 2024
The message continued, “Two drones were suppressed by air defence and electronic warfare forces. Debris from one caused a fire, leading to detonation. Residents near the fire are being temporarily evacuated.”
Western intelligence identified the Tikhoretsk complex as the endpoint of a 9,600-kilometre route for munitions sent by Kim Jong Un to support Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
North Korean firepower, including KN-23 missiles and artillery shells, was stored here before being sent to the frontline.
Western secret services had already noted significant consequences for Russia from the destruction of the first Toropets storage facility earlier this week.
The destruction of two more arsenals, 1,600 kilometres apart, will have serious implications for Putin. The three hits in as many days significantly impact the Russian war effort.
The pro-war Military Informant channel expressed concern over the number of Ukrainian strikes on ammunition facilities and the explanations provided by officials.
“Tikhoretsk is not the first munitions arsenal hit recently, and the statements about falling debris seem questionable,” the channel noted.
“It’s one thing if these statements are for a population treated as fools. It’s another if these reports are also sent to the top, claiming no need for more air defence systems because everything is shot down, just debris falling, force majeure.”
Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre, estimated this week that Russia lost “two to three months” supply of ammunition in the first Tver region strike.
Around 30,000 tonnes of explosive ordnance were detonated, equating to 750,000 shells.
“As a result, Russia has suffered ammunition losses, which will impact the front in the coming weeks.”
Ukraine has increased domestic drone production over the past two years, leading to more attacks on Russian territory.
Ukraine’s biggest-ever drone attack hit Moscow in September, killing at least one, destroying homes, and disrupting flights at Moscow’s airports.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Mirror reports an overnight kamikaze drone strike possibly targeting a secret silo housing Putin’s nuclear-capable Satan-2 missile, raising strategic concerns and speculation about its impact. (Read more)
- The Sun emphasises that Ukraine’s drone strike on a Russian arms depot, reportedly destroying North Korean missiles, showcases Ukraine’s growing military capabilities. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did a Ukrainian drone strike hit a Russian nuclear missile?
Yes, a Ukrainian kamikaze drone reportedly struck a ‘Satan-2’ nuclear missile.
Where did the drone strike on the nuclear missile happen?
The strike happened at a secret ammunition silo facility in Toropets, Tver region, Russia.
Were there any other significant targets hit by Ukrainian drones?
Yes, a site reported to house North Korean missiles in Tikhoretsk, Krasnodar region, was also hit.
What was the impact of the strikes on Russian military efforts?
The strikes resulted in significant ammunition losses, potentially affecting Russia’s front-line operations.
How has Russia responded to these drone strikes?
Russia claimed to have downed 101 Ukrainian kamikaze drones and downplayed the extent of the damage.
