Volkswagen Touareg Drives Away After Close-Range Missile Strike—Damage Revealed

A third-generation Volkswagen Touareg in Ukraine was able to start and drive away under its own power after suffering a close-range ballistic missile explosion. At the time of the blast, the vehicle was parked near the impact site with its engine off and unoccupied. It sustained significant damage from the blast wave and shrapnel: the roof collapsed, the A-pillars bent, body panels were severely deformed, and all windows shattered. However, the airbags did not deploy. Despite this extensive damage, the vehicle’s 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine started normally and, once shifted into Drive (D), it was able to move under its own power. Functions such as the digital instrument cluster, central infotainment screen, air conditioning, and power-adjustable seats remained operational after the explosion, although the head-up display was rendered unusable due to the broken windshield. Immediately after starting, multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard.