Satellite Images Show Russian Ammo Depot Damage After Chain of Detonations

Satellite images have been released in the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone attack on an ammunition depot in Russia's western Voronezh region.

The photos, dated July 5 and July 7, are from California-based global imaging company Planet Labs, and were published by the U.S.-funded media outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. They appear to show numerous scorch marks and smoke plumes after a Ukrainian drone strike in the region's Podgorensky district, which is located near the Ukrainian border, on Sunday.

Ukraine has frequently attacked Russian military bases, saying they are legitimate targets in the ongoing war between the two countries that began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion.

Voronezh Governor Alexander Gusev said a fire started at a Russian munitions depot after falling drone debris struck the facility. "Explosives began to detonate," Gusev said, adding that there were no casualties.

"Several drones were detected and destroyed overnight by air defense systems above the Voronezh region," said Gusev. "Their falling debris set off a fire in a depot."

The regional governor said residents living near the depot were being evacuated. A state of emergency was also declared in parts of the Voronezh region.

A law enforcement source told the Kyiv Independent on Sunday that drones operated by the Ukrainian intelligence struck a large ammunition depot in the village of Sergeevka in Voronezh's Podgorensky district.

The source said Russia "stored surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, shells for tanks and artillery, and boxes of ammunition for firearms" at the depot, and that they were being used in the country's war against Ukraine.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's Defense Ministry for comment by email.

"Insane @planet satellite image of the fire near Sergeevka, Voronezh Oblast, after a Ukrainian drone hit the Russian ammo depot, allegedly stuffed with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles," Mark Krutov, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, said on X (formerly Twitter), sharing the before and after images.

Videos and images circulating on social media on Sunday showed huge clouds of smoke rising into the sky in the Voronezh region.

The Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) claimed responsibility for another drone strike on an ammunition depot in Russia's Voronezh region in June.

The HUR said in a statement on Telegram on June 25 that it was behind the attack in the region's Olkhovatsky district, which caused a large fire.

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