The Russian city of Voronezh, located approximately 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, declared a state of emergency in the wake of a suspected drone attack, as announced by Mayor Vadim Kstenin on Telegram on January 16 according to Reuters.
The declaration came after explosions were reported in the city during the early morning hours.
The Russian Defense Ministry has attributed the attack to eight drones that were allegedly shot down over the Voronezh Oblast, pointing fingers at Ukraine for the incident. However, Kyiv has not acknowledged any involvement in the attack.
In response to the situation, Mayor Kstenin declared a state of emergency at 4:30 a.m. local time, emphasizing the need for "speedy decision-making" in the wake of the incident. The state of emergency is intended to facilitate rapid response and recovery efforts in the city.
The aftermath of the alleged drone strike saw significant damage, with Kstenin reporting that at least 30 windows were shattered. To assist those affected, a local school was partially transformed into a "temporary accommodation point."
Kstenin assured that the state of emergency would expedite the process of replacing the damaged windows and that residents would receive compensation for the destruction caused.
Adding to the severity of the situation, Voronezh Oblast Governor Alexander Gusev reported that a child was injured by fragments of a downed UAV that entered an apartment. The child received immediate medical attention at the scene.
Despite the provision of temporary shelter at the school, Governor Gusev noted that as of 9:15 a.m., no residents had sought refuge there, as most had opted to stay with relatives. This development indicates the community's resilience and the support systems in place among the residents of Voronezh in times of crisis.
