UK intel shows scale of destruction at Russian ammunition depot
Photo: The explosion of the 51st arsenal was the largest since the beginning of the war (video screenshot)
Explosions at the Russian GRAU ammunition depot on April 22 became the largest loss of ammunition since the beginning of the war. Over 1 sq. km of territory was damaged, and strategic stockpiles destroyed, according to the UK Ministry of Defence on X.
As noted in the briefing, on April 22, 2025, several large explosions occurred at Russia’s 51st GRAU ammunition depot in the Vladimir region, approximately 80 km east of Moscow.
According to the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, the depot stored about 105,000 tons of various munitions, including ballistic, aviation, and anti-aircraft missiles, as well as artillery shells and small arms ammunition for frontline combat.
Satellite images show that a significant part of the depot — more than 1 sq. km — was damaged by the explosions, indicating colossal losses at a key strategic depot supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In addition, damaged by fire, unstable unexploded ordnance may have fallen outside the facility, potentially posing a danger to nearby civilians.
Causes of the explosion
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the explosions occurred due to a fire, which then caused the detonation of ammunition.
“It is quite likely that this loss was caused by improper weapons handling procedures and negligent ammunition storage,” British intelligence writes.
This corresponds to a long-standing pattern regularly confirmed — Russia’s incompetence in safely and properly handling its own ammunition.
“The explosions at the 51st GRAU depot likely led to the largest loss of Russian ammunition caused by Russia’s own actions in the current conflict to date,” the UK Ministry of Defence notes.
Previously, the Russian arsenal in Kirzhach, in the Vladimir region of the Russian Federation, was blown up on April 22, 2025.
More details about the explosions at the 51st GRAU ammunition depot – read in the RBC-Ukraine article.
