On August 28, the Ukrainian Army reportedly launched a drone attack on the town of Kotelnich in Russia's Kirov Oblast, according to the region's governor, Alexander Sokolov.
This is the first reported drone strike on Kirov Oblast since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Governor Sokolov claimed that Russian air defenses managed to shoot down two drones, while three others "fell" and caused a fire near the Zenit oil facility.
The drones were allegedly targeting a tank containing oil products, but no casualties or damage have been reported.
Sokolov assured the public that the situation is "under control."
Kotelnich is located approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from Ukraine's border, which is far from the frontlines of the ongoing conflict.
Russia's Defense Ministry also reported that air defenses shot down eight drones over Voronezh Oblast and four over Rostov Oblast overnight. These regions have seen an increase in drone activity in recent months, often targeting critical infrastructure.
While the Ukrainian military has not officially commented on these reports, a source from Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that Ukrainian drones operated by HUR and Special Operation Forces successfully hit an oil depot in Rostov Oblast on the same day, igniting a fire.
The BBC's Russian service reported that drones have attacked oil refineries and infrastructure sites in Russia and Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea, at least 64 times this year.
