MOSCOW: Ukraine on Saturday targeted the south Russian region of North Ossetia with drones for the first time ever, causing minor damage, Russian authorities said.
The drones were aimed at a military airfield near the town of Mozdok, over 700 kilometres (430 miles) from the frontline, North Ossetia governor Sergei Menyailo said.
“The attack was foiled by the Russian Defense Ministry’s air defense forces. Minor damage and fires were reported. No one sustained injury,” Menyailo said.
Three drones were shot down, the governor added.
A source in Kyiv told AFP that Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence service launched the attack.
“Today’s drone attack on the airfield in North Ossetia is a special operation of the GUR,” the source in Ukrainian military intelligence said, without elaborating.
Social media videos filmed in the region showed drones flying overhead, while pictures showed what appeared to be drone wreckages scattered on the ground.
The damage from the attack was unclear, but Governor Menyailo urged residents not to share images of the drones online.
“All services have been put on high alert. For the safety of citizens, we have decided to cancel all mass events in Mozdoksky district,” the governor said.
Ukraine often targets military and energy facilities on Russian territory in drone attacks, sometimes hundreds of kilometres from the frontline.
Ukraine did not immediately comment, however, the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper quoted Kyiv’s military intelligence as saying they were behind the attack.
