Recently, new satellite images have revealed the devastating impact of Ukrainian drone strikes on three major ammunition storage sites in Russia. These attacks, which took place at the Toropets and Oktyabrsk facilities west of Moscow and the Tikhoretsk facility in southern Russia, resulted in the destruction of tens of thousands of tons of ammunition. Among the destroyed weapons were missiles supplied to Russia by North Korea, according to Ukrainian and Estonian authorities.
The Targets: Russia’s Major Ammo Depots
The first attack happened on September 18 at Toropets, located around 230 miles west of Moscow. Estonian intelligence confirmed that the strike obliterated about 30,000 tons of ammunition. The satellite images show a massive crater, widespread destruction, and even downed trees, suggesting the explosions were extremely powerful. In fact, they were so intense that the surrounding region experienced a small earthquake, registering at 2.8 on the Richter scale.
Just a few days later, on September 21, Ukrainian forces launched a second wave of drone strikes on two other ammunition storage sites: Oktyabrsk, west of Moscow, and Tikhoretsk, in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region. The Tikhoretsk facility, which is about 220 miles from the front lines, held over 2,000 tons of ammunition, including North Korean ballistic missiles. According to U.S. authorities, this site was key in storing Russia’s missile supplies from North Korea.
The Before-and-After Destruction
Satellite images taken before and after the attacks reveal the dramatic extent of the damage. Photos from Maxar Technologies show the Tikhoretsk facility on September 14, just before the strike. In these images, the facility appears undisturbed, with ammunition stored neatly in various buildings. But when the same location was photographed on September 22, the aftermath was staggering: scores of storage buildings had been wiped out or severely damaged, and huge scorch marks covered large areas of the facility.
Similar devastation was seen at Oktyabrsk and Toropets, where satellite images showed entire structures leveled. At Oktyabrsk, which is home to Russia’s 23rd Artillery Arsenal, missiles and storage facilities that appeared intact before the strike were completely destroyed afterward.
The Impact of Ukraine’s Drones
These strikes are part of Ukraine’s growing use of long-range drones to target deep into Russian territory. Even though Russia has more troops and resources, Ukraine’s ability to hit critical supply sites has begun to offset some of those advantages. The attacks have not only destroyed ammunition but also rattled Russian military operations. For instance, the damage to the Podlet radar station in Tikhoretsk will make it harder for Russia to monitor incoming air threats.
A Turning Point for Ukraine?
These attacks came just before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the United States, where he presented his “Victory Plan” to U.S. leaders, including President Joe Biden. Zelensky is pushing for the U.S. to allow Ukraine to use donated weapons more freely inside Russia. Right now, Ukraine relies heavily on its homegrown drones, which require precise targeting to cause a chain reaction of explosions. However, advanced U.S. missiles could deal even more devastating blows by penetrating fortified storage areas.
For now, Ukraine continues to show that it can hit key Russian military sites far from the front lines, potentially changing the course of the war. These strikes not only damage Russian supplies but also send a clear message: Ukraine’s drone warfare capabilities are growing, and they’re hitting harder than ever.
