'Two hours of horror and blackout': Russians report massive drone attack near Nizhny Novgorod
Illustrative photo: drone attack (Getty Images)
On the night of April 5, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, was hit by three waves of drones. Local Telegram channels report more than 20 explosions, fires, and widespread power outages.
On the night of April 5, Nizhny Novgorod became the target of a large-scale drone attack. Locals described what they called "hell in the sky" lasting more than two hours.
According to preliminary reports, the city was struck by at least three waves of kamikaze drones, with dozens of explosions reported. Social media accounts say there were over 20 blasts.
The first reports of the attack appeared around midnight. Witnesses described the characteristic buzzing of engines and bright flashes in the sky.
The main strike hit the southern part of the city and surrounding districts.
"It was very scary. We counted more than 20 explosions. The drones flew very low, literally over the rooftops. Then the power went out, and a thick column of smoke rose over one of the districts," locals wrote in Nizhny Novgorod community pages.
Official Russian sources have not yet commented on the attack’s consequences. However, according to witnesses, several city districts are experiencing serious power disruptions.
In addition, smoke columns over industrial zones suggest possible hits on strategic facilities.
It should be noted that Nizhny Novgorod is deep in Russia’s rear, yet it is a strategic hub, home to large oil refineries and defense industry enterprises.
Recall that Russian oil ports on the Baltic are still unable to process cargo following drone attacks, forcing Russian refineries to seek costly alternative routes for fuel exports.
Due to large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks on the ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk, Russia's oil exports via the Baltic Sea are effectively in a state of "paralysis."
