A powerful explosion rocked central Russia’s Vladimir region on Tuesday, local authorities said, while the military stated that the blast erupted at an ammunition depot due to human error.
“An explosion occurred in the Kirzhachsky district. Responsible services are working on site,” Vladimir region Governor Alexander Avdeyev wrote on Telegram, without directly referencing any military facilities or detailing the damage.
Shortly after, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that the blast had occurred at an ammunition depot, saying the suspected cause was “violation of safety regulations during the handling of explosive materials.”
“By order of the Russian defense minister, a commission has been formed to investigate the incident,” the ministry said in a statement. “Following the investigation, those found responsible will be held accountable.”
Kirzhach, located 75 kilometers (47 miles) northeast of Moscow, is home to the 51st arsenal of the Russian military’s main missile and artillery directorate. Eyewitness videos shared on social media showed thick smoke and a loud blast, with some users claiming a strike had hit the arsenal.
According to Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian official responsible for countering disinformation, the 51st arsenal houses about 105,000 metric tons of munitions.
“There are significant reserves of artillery shells and missiles of various types, including Iskander, Tochka-U and Kinzhal,” he wrote on Telegram shortly after videos of the explosion began circulating on social media.
Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry declared a state of emergency in the area of Kirzhach, while local authorities announced the evacuation of two nearby villages.
Unverified reports from Telegram channels linked to Russian security services claimed evacuations were underway in at least seven towns and villages.
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