Deadly Overnight Attacks in Russia: Explosions and Drones Claim 12 Lives

Updated with the latest casualty figures.

A series of blasts and suspected drone attacks across various regions in Russia during the night led to at least 12 fatalities and several injuries, according to local officials and news sources on Thursday.

Alexei Teksler, the Governor of the Chelyabinsk region, reported that an explosion hit a factory in the town of Kopeysk on Wednesday evening. By Thursday night, he confirmed that the death toll had risen to 12, with five individuals in critical condition.

The governor emphasized that these explosions were not caused by drone strikes.

By noon on Friday, Teksler announced that 29 people had sustained injuries, with five hospitalized in serious condition, while 11 individuals remained missing.

Hundreds of residents gathered in Kopeysk’s central square to honor the deceased and seek updates on the missing workers, as reported by independent local media. They compelled the head of a local labor union to read aloud the names of the 12 confirmed deceased employees.

Governor Teksler was later seen laying flowers at a makeshift memorial. Alexander Balashov, the CEO of Plastmass, expressed to the residents, “It’s difficult to comprehend” how such a disaster occurred.

“Our primary responsibility now is to fulfill the state defense order, which is crucial for our nation’s future. We extend our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives,” he was quoted saying by the local publication 74.ru.

Independent sources identified the facility as the Plastmass plastics manufacturer, which produces artillery ammunition for the Russian military and is under Western sanctions.

Another explosion reportedly occurred late at night in Stavropol, a southern city, near a military installation. Media outlets reported that a stroller loaded with explosives was found near a bus stop.

A woman sustained shrapnel injuries, and a man was arrested and charged with terrorism, according to the Kommersant newspaper.

In the Bryansk and Belgorod regions, which border Ukraine, officials reported two civilian deaths due to drones from Ukraine targeting vehicles.

Additionally, in the Ryazan region, Governor Pavel Malkov indicated that debris from Ukrainian drones caused a fire at an industrial site. The independent outlet Astra, citing local residents, reported that the Ryazan oil refinery was impacted but no casualties were reported.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that its air defense systems shot down or intercepted a total of 139 Ukrainian drones overnight.

This included 56 drones over the Belgorod region, 22 over the Bryansk region, and 14 over the Ryazan region.