Ukrainian drone strike causes injuries and panic in Russia's Voronezh, prompts state of emergency
It's essential to scrutinize many reports from Russian media or government representatives as they could be part of a propaganda strategy. Such reports may feature in the information warfare being pursued by the Russian Federation.
7:28 AM EST, January 16, 2024
Reuters agency reported that the emergency in Voronezh was declared on Tuesday. This decision came in the aftermath of the Ukrainian drone assault, which resulted in injuries to a 6-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl.
Elena Fedyainova, the mother of the 6-year-old injured boy, recounted to local media about the drones striking first at night, shattering the window of her apartment. "It was a strike and a flash", she informed journalists. "I picked up the child amidst debris and smoke," she elaborated. Russian officials have reported about another casualty - a 10-year-old girl - in the same attack.
As per Reuters, Vadim Kstenin, the mayor of Voronezh, has declared a state of emergency in the region to deal with the aftermath of the strike. Voronezh, home to over a million residents, is approximately 155 miles from the Ukrainian border.
Near Voronezh is one of the Russian airbases. Local reports suggest that Sukhoi Su-34 bombers are stationed there. The Russian news service Shot reported on Telegram that a minimum of 15 explosions were heard near this airbase.
The Russian Ministry of Defense revealed that five Ukrainian drones were destroyed by Russian air defense over Voronezh, and three more were intercepted. Meanwhile, four unmanned aerial vehicles over Belgorod were prevented by the Russians. The Ukrainian authorities have, however, remained silent on these incidents, reports Reuters.
