Russia-Ukraine War Flash Report - 18 August, 2022 14:30 PDT - Ukraine Strikes Back & Crisis at Zaporizhzhia

Today feels like February 25 for the team but in reverse. There are so many reports flooding in from across the battlefront of Ukrainian attacks. We will almost certainly have to go live in a little while and run a newsroom-style real-time report. There is an overwhelming number of claims and significant fog of war.

• A 1.6 million square feet (147,000 square meters) ammunition depot in Timonovo, Russia, 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, has exploded. There are multiple secondary explosions, including rockets, missiles, thermite, and possibly white phosphorus munitions. Two towns and a military base have been evacuated. CONFIRMED
• There are conflicting reports that Belbek Military Airfield in Sevastopol has been attacked. We have confirmed that air defenses are active in Sevastopol but cannot confirm if the airbase has been hit. Igor "Girkin" Strelkov wrote a terse Telegram saying it was, which gives the claims weight, but is not enough to provide proof. UNCONFIRMED, BUT PROBABLE
• There are new reports that the Russian helicopter base in Stary Oskol, Russia, has been attacked. We have yet to see pictures or videos, but the reports are coming from very reliable sources. UNCONFIRMED
• There are reports that the Kirsch Bridge has been attacked. Confirmed videos show that Russian air defense was activated and firing from the bridge area. There are no reports of damage. CONFIRMED
• There are now reports coming in of heavy shelling on Enerhodar, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Plant workers claim that Russian operators were told not to report to work on August 19 and that some Russian troops had withdrawn. PARTIALLY CONFIRMED - WE DO NOT KNOW THE STATE OF THE SHELLING AND WHAT IS BEING TARGETED 
• Russian forces are storing military vehicles and ammunition in large quantities in reactor one, with the materials located adjacent to the power generation deck (where the turbine is located). There is a video that shows the storage and another drone video that shows similar vehicles exiting and entering the reactor one compound that we previously reported. CONFIRMED