Ukraine carried out “massive” drone strikes in several regions of Russia overnight, local officials said Tuesday, in what appears to be one of the biggest recent attacks in Ukraine’s campaign to cripple Russia’s war machine on its home turf.
The attacks, mainly in southwestern Russia, were the latest in a series of attacks that demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside the country, even as Kiev’s forces face setbacks on their home turf.
The explosions were reported in the border region of Bryansk, and drones also targeted regions far beyond, such as Saratov and Tula in western Russia.
The Ukrainian military did not immediately comment on the strikes. But Ukraine’s state-run Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security said seven regions of Russia were under attack, with military production factories and oil and gas facilities among the targets.
The threat forced at least six cities to restrict airspace Tuesday morning, according to a statement from Russia’s Federal Aviation Agency. These included the cities of Saratov and Engels, which were attacked overnight.
Governor of Saratov region Roman V. Busargin said two industrial enterprises were damaged. He wrote on Telegram. “Today, Saratov and Engels were hit by a massive UAV attack,” he said, using another name for the drones. “Air defenses have destroyed a large number of targets.”
It was the second time in a week that Enges, home to some of Russia’s long-range, nuclear-capable bombers, has been attacked. Emergency crews were only able to put out the large fire that started recently Holiday on January 8.
of Mr. Busarg he said On Tuesday, schools in Engels, as well as in the city of Saratov, will be closed and classes will be held remotely.
Authorities in the western Russian province of Tula have similarly confirmed a mass drone attack. Dmitry V. Milyaev, regional governor, he said air defense forces shot down 16 drones and debris damaged some vehicles and buildings. There were no casualties or injuries.
Local press in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in southwestern Russia informed a huge fire broke out at the liquefied natural gas base as a result of a tanker collision.
President of the Republic Rustam N. Minnikhanov He wrote on Telegram firefighters said the blaze was extinguished and there were no casualties or “significant damage.”
Heavy explosions were reported in Bryansk, a border region subject to more regular attacks. Russia’s independent media reported that the Astra chemical plant was hit; the report could not be independently verified.
From the beginning, Kiev’s strikes inside Russia were aimed at limiting Moscow’s ability to attack Ukrainian cities. But in recent weeks, they have taken on additional weight: amid concerns that the United States may weaken its support for Ukraine, as President-elect Donald J. Trump tries to make a show of force ahead of his inauguration next week.
Mr. Trump has vowed to end the war quickly. Although he has not said how, many in Ukraine fear that he may compromise with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, who have red lines for Kiev.
Russia’s military is also making a show of force ahead of Mr Trump’s inauguration on Monday. While Kiev’s drones targeted parts of Russia overnight, Moscow’s forces were carrying out an airstrike in Ukraine that put much of the country on air strike alert.
Air Force of Ukraine he said It said about 80 drones were involved in the attack on Tuesday morning, but it managed to shoot down 60. In several regions, residential buildings and cars were damaged by drones, but there were no casualties.
Natalia Novosolova and Natalia Vasilyeva contributed to the report.
