Was there a nuclear explosion in Russia?

A massive explosion rocked Russia's Tver region last night, sending shockwaves through the local community. Despite initial fears, it was confirmed that the blast was not nuclear in nature.

Russian media reports attribute the explosion to a Ukrainian drone strike targeting a large ammunition depot. Prior to the attack, residents observed an unidentified reconnaissance UAV hovering over the area for two days.

In 2018, Russian media quoted Deputy Minister of Defense General Dmitry Bulgakov, stating that the ammunition, missile, and explosives storage facility in Toropets was constructed to "the highest international standards

On June 26, 2024, Dmitry Bulgakov was arrested on charges of large-scale fraud, becoming the seventh high-ranking Russian defense official detained for corruption since Putin initiated a ministry-wide cleanup in April 2024.

Bulgakov had previously boasted that the ammunition warehouse in Toropets was designed to "conceal missile and ammunition stockpiles from external threats, ensuring their safety, as well as explosion and fire protection."

It seems those claims of safety didn't hold up.

NORSAR has already recorded three seismic events in the Tver region:

• 2.8 magnitude at 1:29 UTC.
• 2.5 magnitude at 2:29 UTC.
• 2.7 magnitude at 3:23 UTC.

The explosions at the ammunition depot are ongoing.

The view from nearby homes.

“Bulgakov noted that the full load of each storage facility of the arsenal is up to 240 tons,” continued the article author.

There are 41 of these newer bunkers at Toropets ammo depot, plus there are over 70 sheds that hold up to 120 tonnes of munitions each.

According to locals, this warehouse was actively used: ammunition was shipped almost around the clock, trucks driving in and out day and night.

The whole place has been detonating for over 6 hours. The smoke tail is visible in satellite images.

Up to 30,000 tons of ammo could be stored there, including:

• 4-ton Iskander ballistic missiles
• 3-ton North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles
• S-300/S-400 air defense missiles
• Grad MLRS rockets.

Now it makes sense, why Russian enforcers are urgently evacuating local residents. Schools and kindergartens will be closed today.

Local authorities say things are under control.