A partial evacuation has been initiated in Russia's Tver region following a significant Ukrainian drone strike that caused a fire, according to the local governor. Igor Rudenya said emergency teams in the town of Toropets are working to contain the fire, which was triggered by debris from the downed drone. He did not provide details on any potential casualties.

Unconfirmed footage shared on social media shows what appears to be a large explosion in the town, with images of detonations and smoke covering a wide area. Ukrainian sources have indicated that the target was an ammunition warehouse. Reports suggest that the facility housed fuel tanks, artillery shells, ballistic missiles, and explosives, which have been used in Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

This attack aligns with Ukraine's ongoing efforts to strike Russian targets using drones, especially in the absence of Western missile support. The destroyed military arsenal, reportedly worth nearly £30 million ($39 million), represents a major hit. Satellite data from NASA also indicated significant heat sources in the region.

A light earthquake was recorded in the surrounding area due to the explosions. Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation, shared on Telegram that, along with its own ammunition, Russia had begun storing North Korean missiles in Toropets. These claims remain unverified.

Toropets, located about 380 km northwest of Moscow and 470 km from the Ukrainian border, has seen evacuation efforts ramp up, with buses prepared for residents. Authorities claim the situation is "under control," although no specifics on the number of evacuees have been provided. Schools and kindergartens in the region were closed as a precaution.

For Ukraine, this strike represents a morale boost and a potential message to its Western allies, emphasizing that targeting sites within Russia is essential for self-defense without provoking further escalation.

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