According to a Ukrainian security source, speaking with Reuters on condition of anonymity, Kyiv believes the facility was being used to transfer munitions and equipment for Russia's war in Ukraine.
The strike, conducted by Ukraine's internal security service (SBU), caused a significant explosion at the depot, which is located in the village of Soldatskoye, roughly 130 kilometers from Ukraine-controlled territory.
The Russian governor of the Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev, confirmed the attack, stating on Telegram that "explosive objects" detonated after a fire broke out in the Ostrogozhsky district.
While no casualties were reported, a state of emergency was declared, leading to the evacuation of several hundred residents and the closure of a major road.
Ukrainian military expert Oleksandr Musiyenko told Polish Radio that among the destroyed munitions were missiles supplied to Russia by North Korea, as well as Iranian ballistic missiles.
According to Musiyenko, North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles, which Russia has been using to strike the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kyiv regions of Ukraine, were likely stored at the depot.
Russia reportedly began using these missiles earlier this year, while more recently, Iran is said to have provided additional ballistic missiles to Moscow.
Ukraine, which is restricted by some of its Western allies from using their supplied missiles on Russian territory, is increasingly turning to its own drone technology to conduct long-range strikes, with Ukrainian drones capable of hitting targets over 1,000 kilometers away.
(ał)
Source: Reuters, IAR
