Russia is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating drone attack by Ukraine, which has left a trail of destruction across multiple regions. The attack, which occurred overnight, saw 28 drones launched, with 13 shot down over the Volgograd region, 7 over the Rostov region, 4 over the Belgorod region, 2 over the Voronezh region, and 1 each over the Bryansk and Kursk regions. While Ukraine has yet to acknowledge the attacks, Russian authorities have confirmed that a “defence ministry facility” in the area of Marinovka is on fire, with no specific details on what was damaged.
Videos shared on Russian social media showed an explosion in the night sky, reportedly near the air base in Oktyabrsky, while other footage captured the chaos and destruction caused by the drone strike. The attack comes as Ukraine’s ground offensive in the Kursk region has gained momentum, with estimates suggesting that up to 10,000 Ukrainian troops may be involved. The operation is considered the largest attack on Russian territory since the Second World War, and has sent shockwaves through the Kremlin.
In addition to the fires at the air base and oil depot, satellite imagery from NASA fire satellites has revealed numerous small fires breaking out around the air base’s apron, where fighter jets are typically parked. Firefighters in the Rostov region are still struggling to contain a blaze that began on Sunday at an oil depot, while independent Russian Telegram channels have shared videos of a powerful explosion and fireball burning in the night sky.
Widespread Destruction Feared Across Russian Borders (Image via Getty)
Russian state television channels have largely avoided covering the attack, with Russian Orthodox priests visiting the town of Proletarsk to pray for injured firefighters. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC show the fire at the oil depot still burning intensely as of Wednesday, with visible flames and a thick black smoke cloud drifting over the city. In the Kursk region, authorities have begun constructing concrete shelters at bus stops and other locations to protect residents from shelling.
The attacks have sent a clear message from Ukraine that it will not stop its military campaign against Russia, and that it is willing to take bold action to push forward. The Kremlin’s response has been muted, with Russian authorities choosing to downplay the severity of the attacks. However, the scale and intensity of the attacks are undeniably significant, and mark a major escalation in the conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to the audacious attack. Will it launch a counter-attack, or will it try to mitigate the damage and move forward? One thing is clear, however: the attack has sent a stark message that Ukraine will stop at nothing to achieve its goals, and that Russia must be prepared to face the consequences. The world watches with bated breath as the situation continues to escalate, with the potential for widespread destruction feared across Russian borders.
