The mayor of Voronezh, a city in southern Russia, declared a state of emergency today after officials reported that Ukraine launched a drone attack on the city, resulting in damage to several buildings and an injury to a child. Vadim Kstinien, the city's mayor, stated via the Telegram app that residents of at least one residential building were evacuated to a nearby school after drone debris caused a small fire and shattered windows. He added that windows in other buildings were also broken and that "the declared state of emergency in the city will allow for the immediate implementation of measures to replace them."
Alexander Gusev, the governor of the region, reported via his Telegram channel that an 11-year-old girl was injured when drone debris fell on a residential building in Voronezh, the administrative center of the region. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Telegram today that air defense systems destroyed five drones and intercepted three others last night over the Voronezh region, which is near the border with Ukraine. The ministry added that air defense intercepted four more drones in the nearby Belgorod region.
Voronezh, which has a population of over one million, is located about 250 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. No immediate comment was available from Ukraine. Kyiv has intensified its aerial attacks in recent months, claiming they target Russian military infrastructure to undermine Moscow’s war efforts. Russia has a military airbase near Voronezh, where some Sukhoi Su-34 warplanes are stationed, according to Russian media. Russia often uses bomber aircraft during its airstrikes on Ukraine.
The Russian news site Shot reported on Telegram that at least 15 explosions were heard near the airbase and some drone debris landed near a residential building. Reuters was unable to independently verify the reports.
