Vasily Anokhin, the governor of Smolensk region, stated via a Telegram channel that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles attempted an attack on the area but were halted by air defense systems. The early briefing from regional authorities indicated that the interception prevented a successful intrusion, though residents were reminded to stay vigilant as the situation evolved.
Witnesses observed roof fires on houses and outbuildings as debris fell from the detonations of the drones, and windows in several residential buildings sustained damage. Across the affected zones, exterior walls bore marks of impact, and some glass shattered, underscoring the tangible danger people faced as the drones operated above the city.
First responders were dispatched to the sites where the drones and their fragments had landed, conducting initial assessments and securing streets and yards. According to initial information, there were no reported injuries at that moment, though emergency teams remained on high alert and prepared for any late-arriving casualties or structural hazards caused by debris.
Anokhin urged residents to rely solely on official channels for information and avoid sharing unverified content. The purpose was to prevent confusion and ensure that the public received accurate updates as responders assessed the aftermath and monitored any further activity in the region.
The regional head noted that false data and videos about drone attacks on housing and critical infrastructure had begun circulating on social networks with the aim of provoking panic and destabilizing daily life. The message to the public was clear: verify information through official sources before passing along sensational material that could mislead or alarm communities further.
At 00:41, Anokhin warned of the ongoing danger of drone attacks and advised people to remain calm and steer clear of open areas while the air defense system was active. Shortly after, residents reported hearing multiple explosions around 00:50. They claimed the drones were headed toward the oil refinery in Yartsevo, with another probable target being the Smolensk aircraft factory. Telegram channels cited the use of Ukrainian long-range UAVs named Fierce and PD-2 in the raid, which reportedly fell behind a high-rise building, near garages and a hospital in the Zadneprovsky district, and on the roof of another high-rise on Avtozavodskaya Street. The drone activity coincided with power outages spreading through parts of the city as authorities worked to restore services.
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