Ukraine launched a major drone attack on a neighbouring Russian region on the morning of January 13, leaving a major drone factory in chaos. According to the governor of Russia’s Rostov Oblast, which shares its western border with Ukraine, explosions were heard in the city of Taganrog.
Meanwhile, according to Russian Telegram channels, the Atlant Aero plant, which produces components for drones, and the Beriev Aircraft Company have reportedly been targeted.
“Air defence forces are repelling an aerial attack on Taganrog now [at around 6am on January 13],” Yuri Slyusar, governor of Rostov, wrote on Telegram.
“There have been no reports of civilian casualties. Information on damage on the ground is being confirmed.
“I urge everyone to stay cautious, follow the instructions of emergency services, avoid going outside and don’t approach the windows.”
Another Russian Telegraph channel, Astra, citing local residents, reported that the strikes had hit the Atlant Aero plant and the Beriev Aircraft Company. Atlant Aero manufactures components for combat drones, control systems and electronic warfare systems. Production is particularly focused on the development of Orion drones and FPV (First Person View) unmanned aerial vehicles.
Later, Slyusar claimed that seven drones had been downed over Taganrog and the Krasny Sulin district, adding that “an industrial facility in Taganrog was damaged”.
Igor Artamonov, the governor of the Lipetsk Oblast, also reported that a drone attack on the city of Yelets was targeted. Falling debris caused fires there.
“One person was injured during a drone strike in Yelets. He sustained shrapnel wounds and received the necessary medical attention,” he wrote, adding: “Yelets firefighters quickly extinguished fires in several private homes. The fires started after the drone debris fell. Windows in a three-story residential building and several private homes were also damaged.”
The Russian Ministry of Defence also confirmed the attack, writing on its own Telegram channel: “During the past night, from 11pm on January 12 to 7am on January 14, air defence alert systems destroyed 11 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles.”