A Massive Fire Breaks Out Near Putin’s Residence in Moscow

Late on Thursday, social media was abuzz with footage of a massive blaze engulfing a beer warehouse in Odintsovo, just a few miles away from President Vladimir Putin’s official residence in Moscow. It was reported by the press service for the Moscow region of the Ministry of Emergency Situations that the fire had spread to an area of 2,000 square meters (21,500 square feet). The cause of the fire is still unknown, and it is unclear if there have been any casualties.

This incident comes on the heels of a series of drone attacks on Moscow, which have left authorities puzzled as to the perpetrators. In line with their policy of denying involvement in strikes on Russian soil, Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for these attacks. Moscow reported that two Ukrainian drone attacks near the capital had been successfully intercepted by their air defense systems earlier this week.

Adding to the recent string of events, a massive explosion rocked a military-linked facility in Sergiev Posad, a city near Moscow, a few days ago. The blast caused a massive mushroom-like plume of smoke to rise into the sky, claiming the life of one person and injuring around 60. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and security of Russia’s capital.

The proximity of the beer warehouse fire to Putin’s residence at Novo-Ogaryovo has sparked further interest in the situation. Local residents reported that the smoke from the fire was visible for several kilometers, and photos and videos circulating online show a massive column of thick, black smoke rising into the sky.

Various media sources have reported different accounts of the incident. Some claim that the fire occurred in a beer warehouse on Zelenaya Street, while others suggest it was a construction site in a residential complex. Yandex Maps data reveals that the buildings in the vicinity of the fire contain warehouses of logistics companies as well as a company involved in the beer industry.

Local residents claim to have heard explosions before the fire broke out, though these claims have yet to be verified. It is worth noting that a drone attack on Moscow in May marked the first large-scale drone strike on the capital since the conflict began in February 2022. Ukraine’s military intelligence spokesperson, Andriy Yusov, has suggested that these attacks demonstrate Putin’s inability to control the sky and that such incidents will continue and escalate.

Verstka, a news organization established shortly after the conflict began, recently reported a quadrupling of explosions in Russia in 2022, the same year Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These incidents continue to raise questions about the security situation in Moscow and the effectiveness of Russia’s security sector.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia’s Foreign Ministry for comment on these recent events. As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear as to the extent of the damage caused by the fire and the potential implications for the region. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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