Investigators link wreckage to Ukrainian Tu-141 drone after explosion in Kireevsk
Authorities in the Tula region reported that the scattered debris at the site of the blast in Kireevsk includes components from a Ukrainian Tu-141 Strizh unmanned aerial vehicle. The disclosure came through statements attributed to law enforcement, cited by the news agency that covered the incident.
Law enforcement officials told reporters that pieces recovered at the explosion site belong to the Tu-141 Strizh, a known reconnaissance aircraft that has been described in official channels as carrying explosive payloads in certain incidents. The information, conveyed by a regional police source, aligns with earlier statements about the type of drone involved in the blast near Tula. [Citation: TASS]
Initial reports suggested that the Ukrainian Tu-141, sometimes referred to in English as Swift, may have been involved in the incident in Kireevsk when an explosion occurred. The authorities have not publicly confirmed every detail of the drone’s payload, but they have indicated that the event involved a drone that was tasked for reconnaissance and had the potential to carry explosives. [Citation: Regional Law Enforcement]
On March 26, an explosion in Kireevsk resulted in three fatalities and several injuries, including individuals suffering shrapnel wounds. The blast also caused damage to multiple structures, including at least eight private homes and a tall building in the surrounding area. Local residents reported hearing a loud blast and seeing debris scattered across the neighborhood. [Citation: Regional Emergency Services]
As investigators continued to collect evidence, preliminary information suggested that debris from a flying tool, described by local observers as a surveillance drone, fell over the vicinity. Officials have been cautious in drawing final conclusions and emphasized that the case remains under close examination while assessing security implications for nearby communities. [Citation: Regional Security Committee]
Subsequent statements from the Regional Security Committee of the Tula Region asserted that there is currently no ongoing threat to the safety of residents or critical infrastructure. The update aimed to reassure the public while investigators pursue a thorough examination of all factors surrounding the explosion and the drone activity involved. [Citation: Regional Security Committee]