Ukrainian defence forces hit Russia's Main Missile and Artillery Directorate in Volgograd Oblast, evacuation under way – video

Ukraine's defence forces have attacked an arsenal belonging to Russia's Main Missile and Artillery Directorate near the village of Kotluban in Volgograd Oblast on the night of 11-12 February, sparking a large-scale fire and explosions.

Source: Volgograd Oblast Governor Andrei Bocharov; monitoring Telegram channels

Details: Bocharov wrote that "the evacuation of residents from the settlement of Kotluban has been announced and is under way in order to ensure the safety of civilians due to the risk of detonation during firefighting operations".

Monitoring channels reported that the strike targeted a storage and modernisation facility for missile and artillery weapons used by Russian forces. Local residents wrote on social media about powerful explosions and a large-scale blaze near the military site.

Bocharov claimed that Russian air defences had been repelling a missile attack. He said units of Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations and Defence Ministry had been deployed to tackle the fire.

Background: Ukraine's defence forces attacked the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate in Kotluban in September 2024. On that occasion, Ukrainian drones caused a fire, though it did not spread to the main ammunition depot.

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