Khalino airfield attack, damaged Russian radars in Crimea, fire in Yekaterinburg: where Russia saw explosions this week

Find more about the explosions in Russia and the temporarily occupied territories in the Espreso weekly review.

Attack on the Khalino airfield, fire in Yekaterinburg, and targeted Atlas oil depot in Russia's Rostov region

In the early hours of Monday, November 25, Russian authorities reported a drone attack on an oil depot in Kaluga. The Khalino airfield in the Kursk region was also targeted. The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff confirmed the involvement of the Defense Forces in the strikes. "The results of combat operations on other targets are being clarified. The successful joint combat efforts of all components of the Defense Forces against key Russian targets will continue," the General Staff stated. According to the Telegram channel Baza, citing Kaluga region governor Vladislav Shapsha, debris from a drone caused a fire at an industrial enterprise in the city. The Russian Telegram channel ASTRA reported that drones attacked the Kaluganefteprodukt oil depot and the Kaluga-based Typhoon Instrument Plant. Russian security agencies also confirmed the involvement of Ukrainian intelligence. Additionally, reports from Russia claim that at least one missile struck the Khalino military airfield, allegedly injuring two individuals. Sources cited by these Telegram channels indicate that the Khalino attack involved ATACMS missiles.

On the night of Tuesday, November 26, Russian authorities claimed to have repelled a drone attack in the Rostov region. The acting governor of Rostov stated that there were reportedly no casualties or ground damage. By morning, Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 39 drones: "24 over the Rostov region, five over the Bryansk region, three over the Belgorod region, three over the Kursk region, one over the Oryol region, one over the Voronezh region, and two over the Republic of Crimea."

On Thursday night, November 28, Russians claimed a drone attack on the Krasnodar Territory. The local governor alleged that Russian air defenses repelled massive drone attacks in two districts—Slavyansk-on-Kuban and the village of Chigrina. "All emergency and operational services are working at the scene. District heads are reporting on the situation. I have instructed an expedited assessment of the damage and the provision of assistance to restore affected homes," he stated.

In the early hours of November 29, the Atlas oil depot in Russia's Rostov region was struck, resulting in a fire on the premises with at least two ignition points reported. Earlier this summer, the same depot had been targeted by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Atlas is part of Russia's military-industrial complex, supplying fuel products to the Russian army. Rostov Governor Yuri Slyusar stated that the region was attacked by drones, mentioning at least 30 UAVs. However, Russian authorities did not disclose specific details about the fire at the oil depot. Slyusar only mentioned that over 100 "rescuers" were battling a fire at an "industrial facility." Later, he elaborated on the fire, saying: "In the Kamensky district, emergency response units are extinguishing a large fire at an industrial facility. A total of 109 personnel and 38 pieces of equipment are involved." Local Telegram channels also reported a drone attack in Tuapse, Krasnodar Territory. Smoke could be seen over the sea in Tuapse after a massive UAV attack, as evidenced by live webcams from a local beach. Authorities did not comment on the incident.

On the night of December 1, Russian officials reported a drone attack involving 29 UAVs across four regions. In the Kaluga and Bryansk regions, drone debris reportedly caused damage. Kaluga Governor Vladislav Shapsha confirmed a drone attack and stated that falling debris led to a fire on the outskirts of a settlement, away from residential areas. According to officials, there were no casualties. Additionally, a fire broke out in the Starodub district of Bryansk region following a drone attack. Regional head Vladislav Bogomaz described the night as "difficult," claiming that a child had died, and a residential house was completely destroyed due to the drone strikes.

In Yekaterinburg, a fire broke out at a polystyrene production plant. Witnesses reported hearing explosions before workers fled the facility. Initially, the fire was said to have spread over 1,500 square meters, but later updates indicated that the roof collapsed over an area of 400 square meters.

Partisan sabotage on Crimea-Kherson region border, explosions in Sevastopol, and destruction of Russian radar systems in occupied Crimea

A partisan agent from the Atesh movement carried out a sabotage operation on the administrative border between the temporarily occupied Kherson region and Crimea, destroying relay cabinet electrical equipment. The sabotage occurred in the village of Oleksiivka, Kherson region, disrupting the Russian military logistics on the Novooleksiivka-Melitopol railway section. This railway line supplies Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region.

On the morning of November 27, explosions were heard in temporarily occupied Sevastopol. Russian officials claimed to have shot down 25 Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea and Crimea. Sevastopol’s so-called governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported air defense activity: "The military in Sevastopol are repelling an attack by Ukrainian forces, air defenses are operational. Preliminary information indicates two aerial targets were shot down over the water near the northern side," he stated. He later added that Russian air defenses downed two more drones over the waters near Kacha. Sevastopol’s emergency services confirmed that debris fell in the Orlivka area, near Kachynske Highway.

On November 28, Ukrainian intelligence destroyed a Russian Podlet radar complex in occupied Crimea. According to Ukrainian intelligence,  the mobile 48Ya6-K1 Podlet radar is used by the Russians to detect low and very low-altitude air targets in complex, interference-heavy conditions. The estimated value of the destroyed radar complex is $5 million. 

On November 29, Ukrainian forces struck three more Russian radar complexes in Crimea. The operation targeted and destroyed a Kasta-2E2 radar and two additional Podlet radars. Ukrainian intelligence emphasized that strikes on Russian military facilities in occupied territories are ongoing.

In the early hours of November 30, explosions were heard in the occupied city of Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhia region. Following the blasts, parts of the city experienced power outages and internet disruptions. The Berdyansk City Military Administration reported that residents in several neighborhoods (8 March, Koloniya, Eastern Avenue, and others) heard explosions. Shortly afterward, electricity was partially lost in the 8 March and Koloniya districts, and a fire was observed near a transformer station. Additionally, residents reported internet issues. The Point internet service provider stated that a mainline failure occurred, prompting a switch to a backup communication channel, according to the city military administration.

Podlet radar, Photo: ria.ru

Expert opinions

The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Naval Forces, Captain 3rd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk, commented on the destruction of the Russian Podlet radar complex by Ukrainian intelligence in temporarily occupied Crimea. According to him, this development may bring the Ukrainian army closer to striking the Kerch Bridge, as anything related to Russian military logistics is crucial.

"In fact, this is not the first Podlet to be hit. Yes, this is a rather serious complex, and it did its part. It is also a piece of equipment that is part of the Russian air defense in Crimea. Any destruction of such systems is an important element, because all these systems work in conjunction. Crimea is periodically attacked by Ukrainian weapons systems that restore order there. Such systems remain in the way of these means. But local residents in Crimea periodically hear the results of the work of Ukrainian forces," he said.