Drone strikes caused fires at electrical substations and oil depots in two Russian regions, governors claim

According to Russian authorities, drones attacked a power substation in Russia’s Rostov Oblast and a power substation and an oil depot in Volgograd Oblast on the night of July 9.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian air defense shot down three drones over Belgorod Oblast, two over Voronezh Oblast, five over Astrakhan Oblast, seven over Kursk Oblast and 21 over Rostov Oblast.

According to the state news agency TASS, restrictions on aircraft departures and landings at Volgograd and Astrakhan airports were imposed following the attacks.

Vasily Golubev, governor of Rostov Oblast, claimed that two transformers at a substation in the southwest of the region caught fire and were extinguished in the morning. Debris also “fell” in Rostov-on-Don, he added.

Drone debris caused fires at an oil depot in the town of Kalach-on-Don and at a power substation in the town of Frolovo in Volgograd Oblast, Governor Andrey Bocharov said. The fire at the latter site has been extinguished, he claimed.

The extent of the damage and casualties was not reported in either region.

The Ukrainian military has not commented on the attacks. The Kyiv Independent may verify the claims.

Ukrainian forces regularly carry out drone strikes and acts of sabotage on Russian territory, targeting military assets, oil refineries and industrial facilities.

A law enforcement source told the Kyiv Independent that Ukrainian drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) were behind the attack on the Russian company Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt in Krasnodar Region on July 7.

Ukrainian drones attack large ammunition depot in Voronezh Oblast, source says

A law enforcement source told the Kyiv Independent that Ukrainian drones of the Security Service of Ukraine attacked a large ammunition depot in the village of Sergeyevka in Voronezh region.