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2017 Kalynivka ammunition depot explosion

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The ammunition depot at Kalynivka, near Vinnytsia, Ukraine, underwent a series of explosions that started on the evening of September 26, 2017[1][2] and continued burning until September 30.[3] In 2021 the Prosecutor General announced that evidence confirmed sabotage.[4]

The Kalynivka ammunition depot is one of the largest arsenals of the Ukrainian military.[1]

Events

According to the Defense Minister, Stepan Poltorak, about 83,000 tons of ammunitions were stored at the site, about 63,000 tons of it usable consisting primarily of tank ammunition.[5] The explosions forced the temporary evacuation of about 24,000[6] or 30,000 people.[1] Air space was closed and trains diverted. There was damage to property in the area but no fatalities were reported.[5]

The cause of the explosions remained unclear, however, Ukraine's domestic intelligence believed the explosions to be an act of sabotage,[1] and a presidential advisor suggested that a drone may have started it.[1] The secretary of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov, noted that the military arsenals have many safety violations.[6] Further, the personnel problems could have reduced security and vigilance.[6] It was also pointed out by Nadiya Savchenko, a Ukrainian politician and former military pilot, that depots may be used for illegal trading of arms; an explosion would destroy evidence.[citation needed] Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman indicated the need for a thorough investigation and opined "This is the arsenal of the Ukrainian army, and I think it was no accident that it was destroyed."[7]

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported on September 30 that "uncontrolled explosions" and the fire had been halted.[3]

On October 2 Kalynivka's schools resumed their school year.[8]

The Kalynivka ammunition explosion was the second major explosion in 2017 of a Ukrainian ammunition depot. The earlier one took place in March at a depot at Balakliia near Kharkiv necessitating the evacuation of about 20,000 people.[1][2] The destruction at these two ammunition depots is reported to have reduced the combat capability of the Ukrainian military.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Julia Mendel (September 27, 2017). "In Ukraine, a Huge Ammunition Depot Catches Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Roland Oliphant, Charlotte Krol (September 27, 2017). "Huge explosion at Ukraine ammunition depot prompts mass evacuation". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Olena Goncharova (September 30, 2017). "Kalynivka ammunition depot blasts come to a halt, officials say". Kyiv Post. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  4. ^ "Вибухи у Калинівці: генпрокурор каже, диверсія підтверджується". Ukrainska Pravda (in Ukrainian). 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b "Key facts about a fire in a military warehouse in Kalynivka". Ukraine Crisis Media Center. September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d Natalia Zinets (September 28, 2017). "Ukraine says ammo depot explosions huge blow to combat capability". Reuters. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  7. ^ "Thousands evacuated after Ukraine arms depot blast". AlJazeera. September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  8. ^ Explosions at Kalynivka ammo depot cease – emergency service, UNIAN (3 October 2017)

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