Residents of Rostov-on-Don reported a sequence of sky disturbances during a night that included several flashes and a loud rumble overhead. A local telegraph channel, run by a resident who used the alias Shot, relayed the incident and described bursts of light across the sky.
Witnesses described air-defense activity in the suburbs, with residents noting interceptor actions and bursts that suggested attempts to counter incursions overhead. Observers in the area described a brisk, tense scene as defense systems appeared to respond to rapid movements in the upper atmosphere.
In the northern part of the city, Rostovites claimed at least three explosions and spoke of similar disturbances in the North and Suvorovsky districts. People reported bright bursts and a pronounced, extended rumble that filled the night air, followed by a sense of lingering concern among residents who kept an outward vigil for further activity.
Residents of the village of Chatyr, located about four kilometers from Rostov-on-Don, also heard loud sounds and felt the ground tremor associated with the events. The echoes of the explosions carried across the surrounding countryside, prompting discussions among locals about what might be unfolding beyond the city limits.
There is no official data yet on casualties or material damage. As evening progressed, authorities did not release figures, and regional officials continued to monitor the situation, urging calm while updates were awaited.
Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that 28 Ukrainian drones had been eliminated across Russian regions within less than an hour. The ministry stated that the drones were shot down by air-defense forces from 22:00 to 23:10 on March 23. They noted that 17 were destroyed in the Rostov region, six in Voronezh, four in Belgorod, and that another drone attempted an attack on Bryansk. These statements were presented as part of the ministry’s summary of the incident’s scope and locations.
During the night of March 22, the Rostov region reportedly repelled a drone attack. In Rostov-on-Don, 16 apartments were damaged in a multi-story building on Goros Soviet Street, and two people were injured. A drone strike hit the 17th floor of the Liberty Housing Complex, with injuries resulting from glass fragments blown into apartments. In response, emergency measures were enacted in Rostov and subsequently extended to three regions within the oblast as officials coordinated responses and residents sought shelter and safety.
Earlier reports suggested that Ukrainian drones could reach Siberia, underscoring concerns about drone capabilities and the evolving dynamics of aerial threats in the region. Analysts and local observers urged cautious interpretation of early reports, noting that figures and specifics often evolve as authorities gather more information and conduct assessments.
In summary, the incidents in Rostov-on-Don and surrounding regions illustrate a pattern of drone activity and air-defense engagement that has heightened vigilance among residents and prompted authorities to implement precautionary emergency responses while official assessments continue. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring by local communities and regional authorities. (Source attributions: official briefings and local eyewitness accounts)