Explosions near Moscow, fire in Smolensk: unidentified drones pound Russia again
Photo: Fire breaks out in Smolensk after drone attack (Getty Images)
On the night of September 12, several regions of Russia came under attack from unidentified drones once again. Locals reported hearing explosions, and in one city, a fire is likely to have broken out, according to Russian Telegram channels.
The first reports of drone activity appeared around 10:40 p.m. Kyiv time. In particular, the SHOT channel wrote that at least five explosions were heard over Smolensk.
“Residents told SHOT they heard between five and eight explosions in the southern part of the city. Car alarms went off from the blasts, and flashes were visible in the sky,” the report said.
Meanwhile, footage showing a fire began circulating online. According to eyewitnesses in the videos, the drones struck a Lukoil gas station.
Additionally, some Telegram channels, citing OSINT sources, reported that at least two drones struck the Kardimovo oil depot.
So far, there have been no official statements, and the exact targets of the attacks remain unclear.
Residents also reported hearing drones over the Kursk and Bryansk regions, though it is not yet known if incidents occurred there.
The latest reports said explosions were heard near Moscow. Residents of the Odintsovo district told SHOT they heard several blasts starting at 1:15 a.m. Explosions were also reported in the town of Naro-Fominsk outside Moscow.
At the same time, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defense forces had allegedly shot down seven drones. Emergency crews were dispatched to the crash sites of the debris, he claimed.
Drone strikes on Russia
It is worth noting that Russians frequently report drone attacks and explosions across various regions.
For example, on the morning of August 7, locals reported blasts and fires in Russia’s Krasnodar region. Residents claimed unidentified drones attacked an oil refinery and a military facility.
Later that day, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed strikes on the Afipsky oil refinery as well as attacks on several other key targets.
