The mayor of the Russian city Voronezh, Vadim Kstenin, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, the 16th of January, following what officials say was a Ukrainian drone strike that damaged buildings and left two children injured after debris from the drone fell on a home, reports Reuters.
Kstenin said the attack resulted in the evacuation of residents of one house as the drone debris sparked a small fire, as well as the breaking of windows of several apartment blocks, adding that
the state of emergency would allow “immediate measures to replace” the broken windows.
The Russian Ministry of Defence reported on its Telegram channel that it had destroyed five drones and intercepted three others over the Voronezh region bordering Ukraine, adding that it had intercepted four drones in the Belgorod region.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, though Kyiv has stepped up airstrikes in recent months, which it said are attacks on Russian military infrastructure to undermine its war efforts.
According to Russian media, Russia has an airbase near the city of Voronezh, which houses Sukhoi Su-34 bombers, which Russia often uses in airstrikes against Ukraine.
There have been a number of recent attacks in the Voronezh region, but not all of them are attributable to Ukrainian forces.
BNN reported that in the beginning of the month, a Russian aircraft accidentally dropped its missile on the village of Petropavlovsk, damaging private houses. The Moscow military confirmed the incident, admitting that seven houses were damaged, but claimed that there were no casualties.
Also read: Russia reports accidental release of air bombs on its territory
Follow us on Facebook and X!
Russian city Voronezh declares state of emergency after Ukrainian drone strike
