WATCH: Ukrainian drone strikes residential building in Russia
A wave of Ukrainian drones struck residential buildings in Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, a bustling city of over 1 million people some 250 kilometers from the conflict frontline, early Thursday. At least 13 people sustained injuries in the attack, local authorities have reported.
Rostov Region Governor Yuri Slyusar stated in a Telegram post on Thursday morning that the drone strikes damaged 10 multi-story buildings and several vehicles. Six people were hospitalized, two children were among the victims, the governor added.
A video of a drone slamming into an apartment complex has been widely circulated online. The plane-type UAV can be seen gliding into the city and subsequently crashing into the top of the building, causing a loud explosion and raising a column of smoke.
Other images from the scene of the attack have shown broken glass and damaged balconies in the apartment complex.
Slyusar reported that 212 people have been evacuated from their homes and taken to a temporary accommodation center after the attack.
A municipal commission will begin to assess the damage when experts have finished working at the scene, the governor said.
Ukrainian forces have intensified their long-range drone operations, targeting residential areas and key civilian infrastructure across Russia. Moscow has responded with high-precision strikes on Ukrainian military-related facilities, maintaining that its operations are never directed at civilians.
The latest Ukrainian attacks come just ahead of Friday’s summit in Alaska between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump where a peace deal for the country is set to be discussed.
