Massive Explosion in Ukraine Ammunitions Depot Leaves Thousands Evacuated

Around 10,000 people are reported to be evacuated after a massive explosion at Ukraine’s ammunition depot in Chernihiv, 76 km (109 miles) east of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Tuesday morning.

An official statement of the Ministry of Defense reads that the surrounding area is being evacuated and the head of Ukraine's armed forces has gone to the site. There was no mention of any casualties.

According to reports on social media, the powerful explosions smashed doors and windows in nearby areas.

Pictures emerged showing the night sky lit up by the bright explosions.

Reuters reports that there have been several large fires at ammunition and weapons depots in recent years, an additional drain on Ukraine’s military, which has been fighting Russian-backed separatists in eastern regions since 2014.

Last year massive explosions at a military depot in the Vynnytsya region, 270 km west of Kyiv, forced the authorities to evacuate 24,000 people.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: ukrinform.net