In the Vladimir region of Russia, powerful explosions have once again occurred at one of the country’s largest military arsenals, causing an unprecedented state of tension and heightened alarm among local residents and military experts
According to official reports, a series of detonations took place on the territory of the 51st arsenal of the Main Rocket and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, located near the village of Barsovo. These detonations quickly escalated into a large-scale and very powerful blast wave within a matter of minutes. Witnesses report that thick black smoke rose over the village, and clouds of smoke and fire appeared in the sky. Based on information circulated by the Ukrainian portal "Military" as well as Russian media outlets "Astra" and "RIA Novosti," the situation at this military facility has rapidly worsened. Preliminary reports indicate that the explosions are ongoing, with data suggesting secondary detonations, pointing to a high probability of a large fire or even structural damage. It is known that the explosions are occurring in the area of military unit 11785, which is one of the largest arsenals of the Russian army. The 51st GRAU Arsenal itself covers an area of about 3.5 square kilometers and is located approximately 530 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border. This is a strategically important and extremely large facility, reportedly housing around 274,000 tons of ammunition. The site features reinforced bunkers for the careful storage of explosive materials, as well as open areas for loading and unloading weapons. The vast arsenal is a natural target for any military actions or attacks, as its destruction could have devastating consequences for regional defense and the environment. According to Russian authorities, a state of emergency has been declared in connection with the incident in the Vladimir region. Local officials report that following the explosions, mass evacuations are underway of residents from the villages of Barsovo and Mirny in the Kirzhach district. Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations confirm that enhanced safety measures have been implemented in the region, with ongoing monitoring of the situation and operational evacuations to prevent human casualties in case of further explosions or destruction. Witnesses in the area report that smoke and plumes of black smoke are visible even from remote settlements, confirming the scale of the catastrophe and the seriousness of the situation. Overall, this incident is one of the largest and most serious explosions at Russian military storage facilities in recent years, raising many questions about the safety and condition of the country’s military stockpiles. Currently, the situation remains tense, with experts and authorities working to stabilize the circumstances and determine the causes and consequences of this large-scale accident.