In a significant escalation near the Russian-Ukrainian border, an overnight drone attack launched from Ukraine set off a series of explosions at a Russian munitions depot in the Voronezh region. The incident, reported by both Russian and Ukrainian officials on Sunday, highlighted the intensifying use of drones in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
Alexander Gusev, the governor of Voronezh region, confirmed on Telegram that several Ukrainian drones had been detected and subsequently destroyed by Russian air defense systems above the Podgorensky district, approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Debris from the destroyed drones sparked a fire within the munitions depot, leading to the detonation of explosives stored on-site. Despite the powerful explosions, there were no immediate reports of casualties, and local residents near the depot were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
According to a Ukrainian defense source cited by AFP, the drone strike targeted a facility housing a significant cache of military equipment, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, tank shells, artillery ammunition, and other armaments. The attack resulted in what was described as a “powerful” explosion, underscoring the destructive capability of such operations.
Since the onset of Russia’s military offensive in February 2022, both Russia and Ukraine have increasingly utilized drones equipped with large explosive payloads, capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometers away. Ukraine has notably intensified its counterattacks on Russian territory this year, targeting strategic locations that it claims support the Russian military effort, as well as civilian areas near the border.
Sources By Agencies
