Drones target Smolensk aviation plant, trigger oil depot fire in Voronezh Oblast

Russia claims to have intercepted 55 drones across multiple regions.

Jan 21, 2025 - 09:00

Drones target Smolensk aviation plant, trigger oil depot fire in Voronezh Oblast

drones target smolensk aviation plant trigger oil depot fire voronezh oblast russian regions affected drone attacks created paintmapscom local authorities report widespread across several russia's overnight 21 multiple strategic facilities

Local authorities report widespread drone attacks across several of Russia’s regions overnight on 21 January, with multiple strategic facilities targeted and residents evacuated from some areas.

Last year, Ukraine intensified its long-range drone attacks against the military and fuel facilities within Russia, significantly disrupting fuel and ammunition supplies crucial for the Russian military. Many of such attacks targeted Russian bomb warehouses at airbases, ammunition depots, fuel processing and storage facilities deep inside Russia. Meanwhile, Russia continues its relentless nightly drone, missile, and bomb attacks on Ukraine, with strikes intensifying in recent months.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that air defense systems intercepted 55 Ukrainian drones over six regions. The ministry stated that 22 drones were shot down over Bryansk Oblast, 12 over Rostov Oblast, ten over Smolensk Oblast, six over Voronezh Oblast, four over Saratov Oblast, and one over Kursk Oblast.

In Smolensk Oblast, local residents reported hearing more than 10 powerful explosions, RFE/RL Russian reports. The Smolensk Aviation Plant, which produces Kh-55 and Kh-59 missiles used against Ukraine, was reportedly among the targets. According to the Russian news Telegram channel Astra, a fire broke out at the aviation plant following the drone attack. Citing its sources, Astra says the drone attack on the roof of a workshop at the Smolensk Aviation Plant overnight caused a fire but did not halt operations.

Smolensk Oblast Governor Vasiliy Anokhin claimed that drone debris caused roof fires on several buildings and damaged windows of residential buildings. While confirming the interception of Ukrainian drones, Anokhin dismissed videos showing “drone raids on facilities and residential buildings” as “fake information” intended to “create panic and destabilize the situation.”