Russian officials accused Ukraine of targeting six Russian regions with drones early Wednesday in what appears to be the biggest drone attack on Russian soil since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine 18 months ago.
The local governor and media said the drone struck an air base in the western Pskov region and caused massive fires. More drones were also downed in Oryol, Bryansk, Ryazan, Kaluga and the Moscow region surrounding the Russian capital, according to the Defense Ministry.
Russia’s state news agency Tass, citing emergency officials, said the attack in Pskov targeted an airport in the region’s capital and damaged four IL-78 transport planes.
Pskov regional governor Mikhail Vedernikov ordered the cancellation of all flights to and from Pskov airport on Wednesday, citing the need to assess damage during daylight hours.
Footage and images posted on social media overnight showed smoke billowing over the city of Pskov and a huge fire. Vedernikov said there were no casualties and the fire was brought under control.
Pskov appeared to be the only area where the drone caused damage. According to the Russian military, three drones were shot down in the Bryansk region, and its governor, Andrei Klychkov, said two drones were downed in the Oryol region. Officials said one was downed in the Ryazan region, one in Kaluga and one in the Moscow region. No damage or casualties were reported in those areas.