Explosions and evacuation in Russia’s Toropovets after a drone strikes an ammo depot
Source: Astra
Drones attacked a Russian ammunition depot in Toropovets, Tver region, in early hours on Thursday with locals reporting multiple explosions in the area following the detonation of munitions. As flames engulfed the depot, local authorities though tried to play down the claims saying that it was caused by drones’ debris after they were shot down by Russian air defenses.
Videos emerging on social media show loud blasts and a massive fire lighting up the night sky. With the fire spreading, local authorities announced the evacuation of civilians from the impacted area to the town of Zapadnaya Dvina. Locals complain the evacuation effort is a mess as many elderly residents are struggling to reach assembly points.
Cut off by the fire, residents of Tsikaryevo have gathered near a local lake, waiting for evacuation. However, there are not enough boats to safely evacuate everyone. This village lies right across from the depots of a military unit.
The explosions allegedly caused massive damage, shattering windows in local businesses and the emergency medical center due as blasts continue.
According to reports, the depot had stockpiles of 122mm Grad rocket artillery shells and 82mm artillery mines. It was also believed to house a range of missiles like well as S-300 and S-400 missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, and even North Korean KN23 missiles.
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.
In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.
Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.
Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.