In a startling turn of events, reports have surfaced of Ukraine carrying out an attack on an ammunition depot in southern Russia. Social media platforms were abuzz with images allegedly showing the aftermath of the strike, depicting a fiery scene that engulfed the town of Ostrogozhsk in the Voronezh region, located about 400 miles south of Moscow.

According to the X (formerly Twitter) account War is Translated, multiple drones launched by Ukraine targeted Ostrogozhsk, causing explosive blasts and ongoing fires that have persisted since the early morning hours. Another pro-Ukrainian account, Jay in Kyiv, affirmed the presence of Ukrainian drones in the area.

However, there appears to be ambiguity surrounding the exact nature of the munitions involved in the attack. Local sources suggest that Ukraine possibly employed a Neptune cruise missile, leading to numerous secondary explosions. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry declined to comment on the incident, stating their policy of not addressing events in Russia. Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for further insight.

The Voronezh Oblast, bordering Ukraine's Luhansk region, is home to several military airfields, oil refineries, and ammunition depots utilized by Moscow. These facilities have been targeted by Kyiv in the past. Aleksandr Gusev, Governor of the Voronezh region, revealed that Russian air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed several drones. Falling weapon fragments resulted in a fire and "detonation of explosive objects" at an unidentified site, leading to the evacuation of 200 individuals and the injury of two.

Further reports suggest that the ammunition at the Ostrogozhsk site continued to explode even eight hours after the initial strike. The head of the Ostrogozhsky district, Sergei Khoroshilov, emphasized the importance of remaining calm, exercising caution, and adhering to all safety protocols in the face of ongoing detonations.

These recent attacks on Russian military infrastructure and energy industry indicate a heightened aggression from Ukraine, with the aim of crippling Moscow's military capabilities. On Friday, Ukraine's navy claimed responsibility for striking the Conro Trader cargo ship in Kavkaz port, located in Russia's Krasnodar territory. Social media footage showcased billowing flames and smoke resulting from the assault. Additionally, an oil terminal in Proletarsk, Rostov region, was targeted, leading to a fire that continued to burn. Concerns arose as reports suggested that the fire was spreading towards residential buildings, while locals expressed frustration at the perceived inadequate response from authorities.

Update 08/24/24, 11 a.m. ET: Ukraine's defense ministry has provided comment on the situation.