A powerful explosion rocked the occupied city of Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 16 August after Ukrainian intelligence carried out a targeted operation.
Blast in Occupied Melitopol
The blast destroyed a Russian ammunition storage point, leaving a trail of destruction and triggering a series of secondary detonations.
According to official details, the strike occurred when a Russian truck carrying troops entered a base located in an industrial zone near the Korvatskyi passage. As the vehicle entered, an explosion ripped through the site, setting off a massive fire that quickly spread across the ammunition storage area.
The detonation was so strong that it caused continuous secondary blasts as stored ammunition ignited. Residents in the area reportedly heard a chain of loud booms following the initial strike. Emergency vehicles, including at least four ambulances, were rushed to the site immediately after the explosion.
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Heavy Losses Reported
The attack caused significant casualties among Russian forces. Reports indicate that at least six marines were killed in the explosion. Additionally, a crew from a drone unit operating in the region was also among those who lost their lives.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, but the destruction of the storage point and the scale of the secondary explosions suggest heavy losses. The area was sealed off quickly as Russian emergency services attempted to control the fire and assess the damage.
Witnesses noted flames and smoke rising from the industrial zone long after the first explosion. The ammunition stored at the site continued to detonate for some time, making rescue operations difficult. The strike not only destroyed the storage depot but also created chaos within the occupied zone.
The destroyed facility had been used for both ammunition storage and as a transit point for Russian military personnel. The impact of the explosion is considered severe, given the concentration of supplies and troops at the site.
Strategic Impact of the Operation
The incident in Melitopol highlights the ongoing role of Ukrainian intelligence operations in occupied areas. By striking at ammunition depots, such operations directly reduce the supplies available for Russian units active in the region.
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This particular strike demonstrated the effectiveness of targeting both personnel and material storage at once. The explosion of the Russian truck as it entered the base added to the destruction, and the fire spread rapidly to other stored supplies.
The presence of multiple ambulances at the scene indicated the seriousness of the casualties. Emergency teams worked under hazardous conditions as explosions continued in the background. The scale of the incident was visible in the rising smoke columns and the sounds of ammunition cooking off inside the storage point.
The destruction of the depot marks another significant blow in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, an area that has witnessed repeated clashes and operations. Ammunition storage sites are critical for sustaining combat operations, and their destruction creates immediate logistical challenges.
The explosion at Melitopol serves as one of the most recent examples of how intelligence-led operations continue to strike at key points behind the frontlines. It underscores the risks faced by Russian forces stationed in occupied territories, where supply hubs remain vulnerable to sudden and powerful attacks.
