Several drones targeted military facilities in the Irkutsk region on Sunday, with authorities saying it was the first such attack in Siberia. Gov. Igor Kotzev confirmed the strike and said the incident occurred near Thread’s settlement, about 150 km from Lake Baikal and 70 km from the region’s capital of the same name.
According to Kobzev, one drone reportedly raided an abandoned building in the nearby village of Novomartinsk.
The governor said the drone was fired from a small truck, but the exact number of UAVs involved remains unknown. Unverified footage on social media suggests that at least three drones took part in the attack.
Kobzev added that the launch site was “blocked” and that “there was no threat to civilian lives and health.” Emergency services and law enforcement agencies were sent to the scene.
Kobzev was not responsible, but both Russian and Ukrainian media suggest that the attack was coordinated by Kiev.
Ukraine has intensified drone strikes within Russian territory in recent weeks despite continued diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Kiev of trying to derail the negotiations.
In response, Moscow launched a retaliatory strike on Ukrainian defense industry sites, as well as military assembly points and warehouses.
The Irkutsk attack coincided with reports of similar drone strikes in the Murmansk region of northern Russia, but details are lacking.
Ukraine has escalated drone strikes to Russia in recent weeks despite continued diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggests that Kiev is trying to derail the process.
In response to the attack, Russia launched several retaliatory strikes targeting Ukrainian defence industrial facilities, as well as military assembly points and warehouses.
The Irkutsk attack came without providing details so far, as authorities in the Murmansk region of northern Russia reported similar drone attacks.
(Source: RT)