Drone strikes allegedly target energy facilities in Smolensk, Bryansk, Kaluga Oblasts
Air defenses in Russia's Bryansk, Kaluga, and Smolensk Oblasts intercepted several drones overnight on April 20, which fell and started a fire at three separate energy facilities, according to regional officials.
Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz said that debris from a drone that was intercepted over the Vygonichsky District fell on an energy facility, causing a mass fire. At least six drones were also intercepted over the Suzemsky and Vygonichsky districts.
Russian-affiliated Telegram channels later posted photos of a mass fire at the substation in Bryansk.
Later that night, Kaluga Oblast Governor Vladislav Shapsha reported that a drone explosion near a substation in the town of Maloyaroslavets resulted in "slight damages" to the energy infrastructure.
Finally, at around 2:00 a.m. local time, Smolensk Oblast Governor Vasily Anokhin alleged Ukrainian drones targeted a fuel and energy facility in the Kardymovsky District. Air defense forces reportedly intercepted the drones, but fallen debris started a fire at a fuel storage tank.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims of Russian authorities, and Ukraine does not usually comment on alleged attacks on Russian soil.
Over the course of the night, more than 50 drones were reportedly intercepted over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Smolensk, and Ryazan regions. Two people were said to be killed as a result of drone debris falling on a residential home in the Belgorod region.
Kyiv has not publicly commented on the attack, and the Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.
