Ukraine Arms Warehouse Bombed In Act of Sabotage

In Ukrainian ammunition warehouse explosion, Kiev sees a Russian hand

Kiev: Ukraine suspects the Russian military or its separatist rebel proxies were responsible for blowing up a warehouse storing tank ammunition at an eastern military base early on Thursday morning, Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak said.

The base, which held about 138,000 tonnes of ammunition, is located in the city of Balaklia, about 100 km from the frontline of Ukraine's war against Russian-backed separatists. www.smh.com.au...

Suspected Drone Strike....


If confirmed, alleged drone use by separatist militias indicates
new tactic to attack targets in eastern Ukraine

The fire caused a large number of explosions affecting the weapons depot and the surrounding area. Emergency services evacuated nearly 20,000 civilians from Balakliya and the surrounding villages of Verbinka and Yakovenkove.
www.janes.com...

a reply to: burntheships

I had a feeling it was the result of some kind of attack and not "a mistake". A facility with such a cache of ammunition must have strict protocols to prevent such a thing from happening. Attack from another party made the most sense.

But even so, it sounds like it is "suspected" and not confirmed that it was an attack, is that correct?

originally posted by: FamCore

But even so, it sounds like it is "suspected" and not confirmed that it was an attack, is that correct?

An article from Janes states the drone stike is "suspected"
Just added that to the OP.

This article states officials are calling it an act of Sabotage.
A Ukranian arms depot exploded on Thursday in what officials are calling an act of sabotage
www.popularmechanics.com...

Has all appearances of intentional bombing, I recall this is
not the first time, happened many years ago as well.

a reply to: FamCore

Hopefully Zaphod will chime in.

originally posted by: FamCore
a reply to: burntheships

A facility with such a cache of ammunition must have strict protocols to prevent such a thing from happening.

Even facilities with the strictest of protocols have had accidents happen.
Careless smoking....etc.

But even so, it sounds like it is "suspected" and not confirmed that it was an attack, is that correct?

Yes it is just suspected as of now.
The one story does say that witnesses heard a plane fly over not long before it happened though.

a reply to: burntheships


Bet that Russian hand has John McCain's fingerprints!

originally posted by: seeker1963
a reply to: burntheships


Bet that Russian hand has John McCain's fingerprints!

Could be Pocket Putin, as I like to call it lately.

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: FamCore

Hopefully Zaphod will chime in.

If he does, it'll be to close the thread as this was posted a few times yesterday..

edit: no worries

www.abovetopsecret.com...

originally posted by: Tucket

If he does, it'll be to close the thread as this was posted a few times yesterday..

If that is the case, my apologies.

Search did not pull it up. If you have a link
that would be great.

ETA: Did find the initial reports.
www.abovetopsecret.com...


If a duplicate, yes please close.

a reply to: burntheships

Of course its the Russians fault. According to Kiev.

You see how big that facility is in here, all the white roofed buildings upper left (many of them on fire and also exploding) and the others lower right. That place is ginormous. What they need all those arms for?

To attack eastern Ukraine...

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: burntheships

Of course its the Russians fault. According to Kiev.

Of course, these days it is always the Russians.

Tried find a few less slanted articles, passed on the
one from The Daily Mail.

Likely with that amount of explosives going off they will only find a big hole in the ground.****

There safety system was poor at best and criminal at worst.

Each building/magazine should only have 50 to 75 tons at best and they should be spaced far enough apart that you don't get a chain reaction.