VORENEZH, Russia: The mayor of Voronezh, a southern Russian city, has declared a state of emergency following what officials claim to be a drone attack launched from Ukraine.
The attack resulted in damage to several buildings and the injury of a child, prompting the evacuation of residents from at least one apartment building. The incident has heightened tensions in the region, leading to a swift response from local authorities.
Mayor Vadim Kstenin announced the state of emergency on the Telegram messaging app, citing a drone attack believed to originate from Ukraine. The aftermath of the attack saw the evacuation of people from an affected apartment building to a nearby school due to drone debris causing damage and a small fire. The introduced state of emergency is aimed at facilitating swift measures to address the damages incurred.
Governor Alexander Gusev reported on his Telegram channel that a child was injured in an apartment building when drone debris fell onto the structure. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of residents in the city, prompting heightened security measures and emergency protocols.
The Russian defence ministry, via its Telegram channel, claimed to have destroyed five drones and intercepted three others over the Voronezh region overnight. Additionally, four drones were reportedly intercepted in the nearby Belgorod region. The proximity of the drone attacks to the Russian-Ukrainian border has escalated tensions in the area.
Voronezh, with a population exceeding one million, is situated approximately 250 kilometers from the Ukraine border. The city’s strategic significance is further underscored by its proximity to a Russian air base, where Sukhoi Su-34s bombers are stationed. These fighter-bomber aircraft are commonly deployed during Russian air strikes on Ukraine.
Russian media outlet Shot reported on Telegram that at least 15 blasts were heard near the air base, and some drone debris fell onto an apartment building in the vicinity. The incident highlights the ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, with Kyiv intensifying air attacks targeting Russian military infrastructure in recent months.
