Russia claims to shoot down 75 drones, military airfield in Lipetsk engulfed in flames
Photo: illustrative
According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense, a total of 75 drones were shot down in the regions of Belgorod, Kursk, Lipetsk, Bryansk, Voronezh, Oryol, and occupied Crimea. The Russians have announced a significant nighttime drone strike on Lipetsk, causing a fire at a military airfield. The local authorities declared a state of emergency in the Lipetsk district.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the governor of the Lipetsk region, Igor Artamonov, and the so-called governor of Russian-occupied Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported that on Telegram.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced "an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack" using drones on objects on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Russian air defense allegedly intercepted and destroyed 75 aircraft-type UAVs:
- 26 — over the Belgorod Region;
- 19 — above Lipetsk;
- 7 — above Kursk;
- 5 — over Bryansk;
- 4 — above Voronezh;
- 1 — above Oryol;
- 5 — over the temporarily occupied Crimea;
- 8 — over the water area of the Black Sea.
Moreover, the Russians are stating that they destroyed seven unmanned boats in the Black Sea that were headed towards the Crimean Peninsula.
Lipetsk region
The governor of the Lipetsk region reported late into the night about an explosion of projectiles a considerable distance from any civilian structures. According to residents, the fire was seen in the area of the Lipetsk military airfield, where the ammunition could have been detonated.
The governor announced that an emergency regime is being introduced near the Lipetsk municipal district to eliminate the consequences of explosive object detonations.
It was decided that the settlements of Koptsevye Khutory, Fedorovka, Yakovlya, and Tinkovka should be evacuated.
In total, 416 homes are located within the designated evacuation area. A few residents have chosen to stay in their homes and seek shelter in their basements, while the remainder are transported by bus.
Posts were set up in the evacuating settlements to protect the locals' houses and property. Passenger traffic has been temporarily stopped in the city of Lipetsk and Lipetsk district.
Also, as a result of the UAV's fall, the energy infrastructure's object was damaged, and the power supply was disrupted.
Artamonov also stated a growing trend on social media and messaging platforms encouraging people to leave Lipetsk.
At the same time, residents publicly reported powerful explosions occurring at the airfield in the Lipetsk region.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the fire at the Lipetsk military airfield.
Artamonov also said that according to preliminary data, "six people were injured as a result of the UAV attack." He added that they are in hospitals.
Belgorod region
Similarly, the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, also stated that there was a nighttime drone attack.
"The Belgorod region suffered a massive attack using drones. Previously, there were no casualties. In total, 29 aircraft-type UAVs were shot down over the territory of the region by air defense forces," Gladkov wrote on Telegram.
Several private homes in the city of Staryi Oskol had broken windows, and their roofs, facades, and fences were also damaged. In addition, one car was also impacted.
In the city of Novyi Oskol, a hangar on the territory of an industrial enterprise caught fire as a result of a UAV attack. Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, who arrived at the scene, extinguished the fire.
According to Gladkov, operational services are working on the ground.
Explosions in occupied Crimea
The so-called "governor" of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, claimed that Ukraine's armed forces had launched an attack and that the occupiers had reportedly destroyed an anti-ship missile, known as the "Neptune," over the city's waters. He also stated that UAVs and naval drones had been hit.
"Our military is repelling the attack of Ukraine's armed forces. According to preliminary information, one Neptune anti-ship missile has already been shot down over the water area at a significant distance from the shore," Rozvazhayev stated.
Later, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported gunfire and a powerful blast in Chornomorske, a village in the Yevpatoriya district of Crimea. The report also mentioned deploying Russian air defense near the Belbek airfield.
Rozvazhayev also announced the attack on surface drones; according to his data, two unmanned boats were allegedly destroyed.
Later, the "governor" declared that the UAVs had attacked occupied Sevastopol.
"In Sevastopol, an unmanned aerial vehicle attack is repulsed. According to preliminary information, one air target was shot down in the Orlivka area. Fragments and submunitions may fall.
According to information from the Rescue Service of Sevastopol, there is currently information about falling fragments in the Kacha area near Aviators Street," Rozvazhayev wrote.
Later, he reported on allegedly "several aerial targets" shot down over the sea.
For reference:
According to a report by Rubryka, on the night of August 3, there was a UAV attack in Morozovsk, Rostov region in Russia. Initial reports suggest that the drones targeted a military airfield.
The General Staff has confirmed that the Ukrainian armed forces launched a drone attack on the Morozovsk airfield near Rostov, hitting a warehouse with ammunition.
