Russian Federation reports UAV attacks in 8 regions

On Sunday, March 17, Russia accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks on 8 regions of the Russian Federation, including an alleged attack on the oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban and Domodedovo airport near Moscow

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the information.

According to the ministry, Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 35 UAVs over Russian territory.

Specifically, 4 drones were reportedly shot down over the Moscow region, 17 over the Krasnodar region, 3 each over the Belgorod and Kursk regions, 4 over the Yaroslavl region, 2 over the Kaluga region, and one each over the Oryol and Rostov regions.

Krasnodar Territory

In Slavyansk-on-Kuban, explosions were heard during the night, followed by a fire at one of the city's facilities.

According to ASTRA, one person died from a heart attack after the explosions. There were no casualties from the fire, and the settlement is not under threat.

Local authorities reported the fire at the Slavyansk Refinery was completely extinguished around 03:30 a.m.

Later, Ukrainian media outlets cited sources as saying that the Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Special Forces and the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, were involved in the attack on the oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Territory.

"We can already talk about a successful outcome - a large fire was recorded in the area of atmospheric columns, which were the main target," the source said.

The source added that the Security Service continues to implement a strategy to undermine Russia's economic potential and reduce the flow of oil dollars that Russians send to the war.

In general, the Security Service’s drones have recently successfully attacked 12 oil refineries in Russia.

Moscow region

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that Russian Air Defense Forces thwarted an attack by two drones in Moscow's Domodedovo district. He stated that no damage or injuries were reported where the drone fragments fell.

Sobyanin later added that two more UAV attacks were repelled in the Ramensky and Stupinsky districts of the city, again without any apparent damage or casualties. 

Around 09:20 a.m., Sobyanin announced another drone flying towards Moscow, which was reportedly shot down over Domodedovo. No damage was reported.

Online footage allegedly showing a drone attack on Domodedovo Airport near Moscow surfaced.

Following this incident, flight restrictions were imposed at Moscow's Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports to ensure safety, according to Rosaviatsia.

Belgorod region

In the Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on Telegram that four drones dropped explosive devices on Oktyabrsky village in the Belgorod district. 

He stated that while there were no casualties, the explosions damaged electricity and gas supply lines.

Later, around 2 p.m., the Russian Defense Ministry announced the alleged destruction of 4 more drones over the Belgorod region.

Rostov region

Vasily Golubev, the governor of the region, stated that the air defense units of the Russian Federation likely repelled an attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle near Kamensk. He mentioned that the consequences are still being assessed.

Kaluga region

Governor Vladislav Shapsha announced that air defense forces in the Kaluga region successfully intercepted three aircraft-type drones attempting to target infrastructure facilities in the Kirov district. 

Additionally, he reported the destruction of another drone on the outskirts of Kaluga on Sunday morning.

Oryol region

Head of the Oryol region, Andrey Klychkov, stated that anti-aircraft defense thwarted another UAV attack overnight, allegedly downing one drone. Preliminary information suggests no impact on civilian objects. 

Klychkov later confirmed the downing of another UAV.

Yaroslavl region

Mikhail Yevrayev, the regional head, reported the downing of four UAVs in the Yaroslavl region. He noted no destruction or casualties at the sites of their fall and mentioned that emergency and special services are present at the scene.