Moscow, Russia — The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a major ammunition depot in the Vladimir region, east of Moscow, caught fire and triggered a series of explosions. Officials attributed the incident to “safety violations” during handling of explosive materials.
Blast Causes Massive Fireball, Evacuations Ordered
The ministry stated that the fire led to detonations of stored ammunition at the Barsovo military site, though no casualties were reported. A special commission has been established to investigate the exact cause.
Eyewitness videos circulating on social media captured a huge fireball erupting into the sky, followed by powerful shockwaves and towering plumes of smoke. Additional footage showed emergency responders rushing toward the scene as explosions continued.
Safety Failures Suspected, Evacuations Underway
Preliminary findings suggest the fire resulted from “violations of safety protocols” during work with explosives. Authorities declared an emergency in the Kirzhach district, about 130 km (80 miles) northeast of Moscow, and began evacuating nearby villages as secondary detonations posed ongoing risks.
History of Incidents at the Site
• Summer 2022: A similar explosion at the same depot killed five people, per local reports.
• March 2025: Residents of Barsovo were evacuated following a suspected drone attack, though officials did not confirm responsibility.
The repeated incidents raise questions about safety standards and security vulnerabilities at Russian military facilities.