BTN News: In response to a drone attack by Ukrainian forces that ignited a suspected ammunition warehouse, Moscow has vowed to retaliate against future incursions within its borders. The incident, which took place in the southwestern Russian region of Voronezh, has prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency. The attack underscores the escalating tension and ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, further complicating the already volatile situation.
The drone strike occurred in a settlement within the Podgorensky district, as reported on Sunday by Voronezh Governor Aleksandr Gusev. According to Ukrainian sources, the targeted warehouse was allegedly being used to supply ammunition to Russian troops engaged in the conflict in Ukraine. Gusev confirmed that the drones were detected and destroyed by air defense forces, but debris from the drones caused a fire at the warehouse, leading to the detonation of explosive devices in the area.
While Gusev did not specify the exact location of the settlement where the incident occurred, he did note that a state of emergency had been declared there. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, although two elderly women were taken to the hospital for medical checks. Emergency services, military personnel, and officials are actively working to manage the situation and have initiated the evacuation of residents from nearby villages.
“Approximately 50 people from three settlements have been transported to temporary accommodation centers,” Gusev stated, emphasizing that all necessary assistance is being provided to those affected.
An anonymous Ukrainian source familiar with the situation claimed that the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) was responsible for the drone attack on the warehouse, which reportedly contained a significant stockpile of surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, tank and artillery shells, and small arms ammunition across a 9,000 square meter area. These claims, however, have not been independently verified by CNN.
In the wake of the attack, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking to a state broadcaster, reinforced President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to retaliate. “The president has said we would respond, and I’m confident you will see this in the near future,” Lavrov stated, as reported by the state news agency TASS. Lavrov also accused the United States and NATO of being disingenuous in their assertions that they are not at war with Russia.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian drone attacks were also intercepted in the border region of Belgorod on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Russian military operations in Ukraine continued unabated. Local authorities reported that at least two people were injured in the Kharkiv region on Sunday due to ongoing Russian attacks.
Further south, in the Kherson region, rescue teams battled 14 fires caused by Russian shelling, which resulted in damage to residential buildings and vehicles.
This latest development highlights the continuing hostilities and the potential for further escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As both sides continue to engage in aggressive tactics, the international community watches closely, with concerns over the broader implications for regional and global stability.
