Reports emerged of blasts after Ukrainian drone attacks
In a series of events overnight, Ukrainian drone attacks have been confirmed to have targeted several Russian regions, resulting in casualties and damage.
According to the respective regional governors in Russia, three people were killed and two others were wounded in these regions. A woman was killed and two were wounded in the Penza region, an elderly man died in Samara when a house caught fire from drone debris, and a guard was killed at an industrial facility in Rostov after a drone attack that caused a fire.
The Samara region's airport temporarily suspended takeoffs and landings due to drone threats. In the Penza region, a factory producing components for rocket control systems was allegedly targeted. An oil refinery in the Ryazan region was also reportedly hit, although the Russian Defense Ministry has not provided specific details about the incident in Ryazan.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down over 100 Ukrainian drones during the same period [1]. The Ukrainian leadership has stated that it targets Russian military logistics in the rear, including fuel depots, ammunition storage, and transportation routes, during the ongoing invasion. However, Ukrainian media reported mass drone attacks against Russia, but these reports were not independently verifiable.
Governor Pavel Malkov of the Ryazan region confirmed an attack but urged no images be published. A video of a massive explosion and fireball at an oil refinery near Samara was circulating on social media. Authorities in the affected regions confirmed drone attacks and reported debris from downed drones hitting facilities.
[1] Source: Russian Defense Ministry statement on drone attacks, [date].
- The transport disruptions caused by the drone attacks were further exacerbated in the Samara region as the airport temporarily halted takeoffs and landings due to the threat of drones.
- As the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia escalate, politics and general news are being dominated by reports of crime-and-justice, such as the allegations of intentionally targeting civilian facilities like factories and oil refineries amidst accusations from both sides.
