The Power Within: The Kyiv Independent’s first-ever magazine. Be among the first to get it.

pre-order now
Skip to content
Edit post

Drone hits distillery in Russia's Tambov Oblast, local media reports

by Abbey Fenbert January 15, 2025 3:47 AM 2 min read
Screenshot from a video purporting to show a fire at a distillery in Novaya Lyada, Tambov Oblast, Russia, on Jan. 15, 2025. (Astra / Telegram)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

A drone struck a distillery in the village of Novaya Lyada in Russia's Tambov Oblast the night of Jan. 14, the Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported, citing local residents.

Local residents said a fire broke out at the distillery, which is located near a military training ground.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

Russian officials have not commented on the alleged attack at the distillery. The government of Tambov Oblast claimed that air defense units intercepted a drone over the region and that it exploded "in a tree."

Previous drone attacks have reportedly targeted Russian alcohol plants, including facilities in Tambov Oblast. The Biokhim distillery in the town of Rasskazovo in Tambov Oblast allegedly caught fire after being struck by a drone in October 2025.

The distillery advertised its manufacture of "products of strategic importance for the state," including ethanol, a solvent used in the production of explosives.

The reported attack on Novaya Lyada comes a day after Ukraine launched its "most massive" attack against Russian military and industrial facilities, with a range of up to 1,100 kilometers (620 miles), overnight on Jan. 13-14.

Ukrainian forces successfully struck chemical plants, refineries, and the Engels airbase's ammunition depots, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine targets Russian industrial plants, ammunition depots in overnight strike
Key developments on Jan. 14: * Ukraine targets Russia’s industrial plants, ammunition depots in ‘massive’ strike overnight * Equipping troops takes priority over lowering draft age, Zelensky says * Ukraine denies transferring Air Force personnel to infantry amid troop shortages * Germany to dep…

News Feed

7:21 PM  (Updated: )

Trump says 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian.

"Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote.
8:06 AM  (Updated: )

Zelensky visits South Africa but cuts trip short after mass Russian strike.

"We count on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will also certainly strengthen our cultural and educational ties," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
5:30 AM

Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit.

Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Trump and Putin have yet to have direct contact, communicating only through their officials. Trump's last in-person encounter with his Russian counterpart was during the 2018 Helsinki Summit during the U.S. president's first term.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.