Russia's Smolensk region reports drone attack overnight, potential target revealed
Photo: Avangard JSC in Safonovo, Smolensk region, was allegedly attacked by drones (photo: smolgazeta.ru)
In Russia's Smolensk region, air defense forces were activated overnight on January 4 in response to the detection of drones. Explosions were heard in the area, according to Vasily Anokhin, governor of Smolensk region.
According to the Russian official's early morning statement, five drones were reportedly shot down during the night due to the work of the air defense systems.
The Smolensk governor also claimed that there were no casualties or damage on the ground.
Earlier, around midnight, Anokhin had reported that an attack by two Ukrainian drones had been "halted" in the Safonovo and Yershichsky districts.
However, there were also reports online suggesting that a drone strike targeted the city of Safonovo.
Safonovo, Smolensk region, on the map (photo: google.com/maps/place)
Additionally, the Telegram channel Exilenova+ speculated that the target could have been the Avangard JSC, a company within a large Russian missile manufacturing holding, MIC NPO Mashinostroyenia and Tactical Missiles Corporation.
What is known about the Avangard JSC
According to open sources, the primary products of the enterprise include transport-launch containers, solid rocket engine housings, and armor and radiation protection elements for armored vehicles.
The product range of Avangard JSC in Safonovo also includes solid-fuel rocket engine housings.
The Safonovo plastics plant was established in 1959. Since 1998, it has been under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federal Space Agency, and in 2008, it was transformed into the JSC Avangard.
Avangard JSC in the Russian city of Safonovo (photo: wikipedia.org)
A few days ago, a drone targeted an oil depot in the city of Yartsevo, Smolensk region, resulting in a major fire
The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the strike on the Yartsevskaya oil depot in Smolensk. The military department clarified that the operation was carried out by the Special Operations Forces in coordination with the UAV Forces and other components of Ukraine's Defense Forces.
On January 1, Russian media reported that two fuel tanks containing gasoline and diesel caught fire as a result of the drone attack on the Yartsevskaya oil depot.
