2017 Kalynivka ammunition depot explosion

The ammunition depot at Kalynivka, near Vinnytsia, Ukraine, underwent a series of explosions that started on the evening of September 26, 2017.[1][2] Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported on September 30 that the explosions and fire had halted.[3]

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.[4] The explosions forced the temporary evacuation of about 24,000[5] 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.[4]

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.[5] Further, the personnel problems could have reduced security and vigilance.[5] 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. 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."[6]

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.[7]

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.[5]

References
  1. Julia Mendel (September 27, 2017). "In Ukraine, a Huge Ammunition Depot Catches Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  2. Roland Oliphant, Charlotte Krol (September 27, 2017). "Huge explosion at Ukraine ammunition depot prompts mass evacuation". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  3. Olena Goncharova (September 30, 2017). "Kalynivka ammunition depot blasts come to a halt, officials say". Kyiv Post. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  4. "Key facts about a fire in a military warehouse in Kalynivka". Ukraine Crisis Media Center. September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  5. Natalia Zinets (September 28, 2017). "Ukraine says ammo depot explosions huge blow to combat capability". Reuters. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  6. "Thousands evacuated after Ukraine arms depot blast". AlJazeera. September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  7. Explosions at Kalynivka ammo depot cease – emergency service, UNIAN (3 October 2017)

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