Revenge for 51st GRAU Arsenal? Expert names target of Russian strike on Kyiv
Photo: Aftermath of the Russian missile attack on Kyiv on April 24 (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Today's Russian missile strike on Kyiv was an act of revenge for Ukraine's attack on the 51st GRAU arsenal in the Vladimir region of Russia on April 22. The arsenal housed approximately 105,000 tons of various types of weapons and missiles, stated aviation expert Valerii Romanenko in a comment to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
"It’s clear where the strikes were generally aimed. They targeted the cities with enterprises working for our defense. Additionally, as always, there was also a strike on almost all of our airfields. That includes Myrhorod, Ozerne, Vasylkiv, and the farthest one, Starokostiantyniv," Romanenko said.
However, as the expert pointed out, the main strike this time was aimed at Kyiv.
"And based on this, it's clear that this was revenge for the strike on the Russian 51st GRAU arsenal. The attack was not very well organized and not as massive as before. There were launches of 127 missiles, for example, on August 26, the Russians launched 127 missiles. Now, whatever they managed to prepare quickly, they used up," he added.
At the same time, according to Romanenko, the Russian army is likely facing problems with the Iskander missiles because it has begun using North Korean ballistic missiles more widely again.
Strike on the 51st GRAU arsenal
On April 22, explosions were heard at the 51st Main Missile and Artillery Directorate's (GRAU) arsenal in the Vladimir region of Russia.
Due to the explosions and the fire, evacuations were declared from nearby settlements. Local residents said they heard the sounds of drones shortly before the explosions.
The 51st GRAU arsenal was known to store around 105,000 tons of various types of weapons and missiles. According to RBC-Ukraine, it was one of the most complex targets to hit, as the site was heavily protected by Russian air defense systems.
Russian missile strike on Kyiv
Last night, on April 24, Russian forces launched a missile and drone attack on Kyiv.
As a result of the enemy strike, a residential multi-story building in the Sviatoshynskyi district of the city was partially destroyed, and civilians were trapped under the rubble.
As of now, it is known that 10 people were killed, and 90 were injured in the attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that through such a strike, Russia may have attempted to pressure the United States amidst Washington's intentions to end the war as quickly as possible.
For more details on the consequences of today’s Russian attack on Ukraine, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.
