WORLD BRIEFING / RUSSIA : 2 killed in blasts at arms depot

At least two people were killed when a chain of explosions ripped apart an arms depot in the city of Ulyanovsk, 440 miles east of Moscow, shattering windows for miles around and forcing the evacuation of 3,000 people.

A blaze erupted as ammunition was being destroyed at the facility, the Federal Security Service said, with subsequent blasts lighting up the evening sky for five hours. Dozens who took refuge in a shelter were at first feared trapped in the conflagration, but later emerged safe -- dispelling initial fears of a high death toll.