In a significant escalation of the conflict, multiple Russian regions, including Lipetsk, Belgorod, and Sevastopol, have come under a massive drone attack by Ukrainian forces on August 9, 2024. The attacks have resulted in damage to infrastructure, power outages, and civilian injuries, prompting evacuations and declarations of states of emergency in some areas.The Lipetsk region appears to have been hit particularly hard. Governor Igor Artyomov reported that the city was subjected to a ‘massive drone attack,’ resulting in explosions at hazardous facilities and damage to energy infrastructure. Six people were reportedly injured and are receiving medical assistance in local hospitals. A state of emergency has been declared in the Lipetsk municipal district, with four villages being evacuated.In the Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced that Russian air defense forces shot down 29 drones. While no casualties were reported, two private homes in Staraya Oskol suffered damage, and a fire broke out in a hangar at an industrial site in Novy Oskol.Sevastopol also came under attack, with Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev reporting that air defense forces repelled an attack by surface drones and shot down aerial targets. The Russian military claims to have intercepted a ‘Neptune’ anti-ship missile over the Black Sea near Sevastopol.Russian authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, avoid windows, and refrain from sharing photos or videos of the attacks on social media. They have also warned against spreading rumors that could cause panic. The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on these incidents.
Key points
- Multiple Russian regions, including Lipetsk, Belgorod, and Sevastopol, have been attacked by Ukrainian drones.
- The attacks have resulted in damage to infrastructure, power outages, and civilian injuries.
- Russian air defense systems have been actively working to repel the attacks, with varying degrees of success.
- States of emergency have been declared and evacuations ordered in some affected areas.
Contradictions👾While most sources attribute the attacks to Ukrainian forces, Ukraine has not officially confirmed the attacks, according to Reuters.
