Ukrainian long-range drone hits Russian arsenal near Moscow

Ukraine targeted a key Russian military arsenal near Moscow, setting off massive explosions and prompting evacuations. 

On April 22, 2025, Ukrainian forces executed a long-range drone strike targeting the 51st Arsenal of Russia’s Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRAU), situated approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) northeast of Moscow, near Kirzhach in the Vladimir Oblast, approximately 530 kilometers (330 miles) from the Ukrainian border. 

The strike triggered a chain of powerful secondary explosions and a massive fire at the facility, according to Russian Telegram channels and local sources. In response, authorities closed the main road connecting Moscow to Kirzhach and initiated the evacuation of nearby villages as a precautionary measure.  

“An explosion occurred in the Kirzhach district. Responsible services are working at the scene,” the Kirzhach district administration reported on Telegram. “The evacuation of the villages of Barsovo and Mirny, Kirzhach district, is underway.” 

The 51st GRAU Arsenal, spanning 502 hectares, is a strategic site within Russia’s military infrastructure, responsible for the storage and management of various missile and artillery systems. 

Ukrainian strike capabilities expand 

The attack highlights Ukraine’s growing capacity to conduct long-range strikes deep within Russian territory, targeting logistical and strategic military assets. The use of drones for such operations allows the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to bypass heavily defended areas and disrupt critical supply and storage nodes far from the front lines.