Ukrainian drones score hit on Russian arms depot, tensions rise
The Ukrainians have targeted weapons and ammunition depots in the Bryansk region of western Russia. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the Russians stored missile rockets, North Korean artillery ammunition, and guided aerial bombs there, among other things.
"Last night, units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in collaboration with other Defence Forces components, accurately struck the 67th arsenal of the Main Rocket and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defence located in the Bryansk region. According to our information, ammunition for missile and artillery weapons was stored there, including from the DPRK, as well as guided aerial bombs. A significant portion of them was stored in the open air," stated the Ukrainian General Staff in a message on Telegram.
Ukrainian attack in the Bryansk region in Russia
North Korea is Russia's largest ally, and relations between the two countries have been strengthening since the start of the war in Ukraine. Pyongyang supplies Russia with large quantities of artillery ammunition, primarily 122 mm and 152 mm calibre shells. This ammunition is very valuable for the Russians because it is used in their artillery systems.
Additionally, from the beginning of 2024, Pyongyang is set to support Russia with KN-23 ballistic missiles. These missiles possess a large destructive force, each measuring about 8 metres in length and carrying a warhead weighing roughly 500 kilograms. They are capable of striking targets at a distance of about 600 kilometres.
Another blow to Russia
This is not the first such attack by Ukrainians recently. In September, they destroyed warehouses in Toropets in the Tver region in western Russia. Interestingly, the Russians had stored not only their own ammunition there but also some resources obtained from North Korea. Satellite images released a few days after the attack showed that the warehouses in Toropets were—almost literally—levelled to the ground.
"The destruction of such arsenals creates serious logistical problems for the Russian army, which significantly reduces the offensive potential of the occupiers in threatened areas," assessed the Ukrainian General Staff.
