Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Ammo Depot Near Mariupol, Causing Chain of Explosions

Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a Russian ammunition storage site near temporarily occupied Mariupol overnight on March 11, causing a fire and a series of secondary explosions, according to ASTRA.

The explosions occurred in the area near the local airfield, where Russian forces are believed to store artillery and missile ammunition. Footage recorded by residents shows large blasts and a fire burning at the site.

Videos shared online by local witnesses captured the moment of the strike and the subsequent detonation of stored munitions. The incident took place in the vicinity of Mariupol’s airport infrastructure, which Russian forces have been using for military logistics since occupying the city.

According to ASTRA, Russia has been actively repurposing infrastructure in and around Mariupol for military use since taking control of the city, including facilities used to store ammunition for artillery systems and other weapons.

Open-source analysts also released imagery indicating the likely direction of the explosion. Visual material published by the OSINT group Dnipro OSINT suggests the blast originated near the settlement of Hlyboke, an area considered relatively deep in the Russian rear. The location lies roughly 100 kilometers from the current frontline.

Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian military infrastructure deep behind the front line. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian forces carried out a series of long-range strikes in January and February 2026 against Russian missile testing infrastructure, defense factories, and ammunition depots.

The operations reportedly hit facilities including the Kapustin Yar missile test range, a drone storage site near Rostov-on-Don, and a major ammunition arsenal in Russia’s Volgograd region. The campaign also targeted defense industry sites such as the Votkinsk missile plant, which produces intercontinental ballistic missiles and other advanced weapons systems.

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