MOSCOW: Russia evacuated 1,200 people from a southern village on Saturday following a significant explosion caused by a Ukrainian drone strike, marking a continuation of such attacks as the conflict extends beyond two and a half years.
The governor of Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev, reported the evacuation after a drone attack triggered a fire that spread to explosive materials near Tikhoretsk. Videos circulating on social media showed a massive explosion that initially appeared like fireworks before erupting loudly, with reports indicating that an ammunition depot had been hit.
Kondratyev condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime,” noting that the affected village was evacuated. Most residents found shelter with relatives, while others were placed in temporary accommodations in Tikhoretsk. Further videos showed sirens sounding in the city of approximately 50,000 people as smoke billowed in the distance, though AFP could not immediately verify these images.
Krasnodar, located across the Azov Sea from occupied Ukraine, had previously experienced fewer attacks compared to other Russian border regions but has seen a rise in such incidents over the past year.
Additionally, authorities in the western Tver region reported a nighttime drone attack near the city of Toropets. Governor Igor Rudenya stated that debris from the attack was being cleared, and while there was no evacuation in Toropets, the federal M-9 highway was temporarily closed, with a promise for quick reopening.
The attack also disrupted passenger train services, rerouting a train from Moscow to Pskov and delaying another.
Russia’s defense ministry earlier claimed to have intercepted 101 Ukrainian drones, primarily over the Bryansk region, and reported downing 18 over Krasnodar, with drone incursions becoming almost a daily occurrence.
