Ukrainian Drone Debris Causes Fire in Tver Apartment Block, Injuring Seven

Debris from a Ukrainian drone ignited a fire in an apartment building located northwest of Moscow, injuring seven individuals, according to Russian officials on Friday.

The nighttime incident occurred in Tver, a city situated approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) from the Russian capital, during an intensified drone operation by Ukraine amid ongoing peace negotiations.

Interim regional Governor Vitaly Korolyov reported on Telegram that the injuries included six adults and one child, and about 20 residents were evacuated from the apartment complex in the city with a population exceeding 400,000.

“We are addressing the aftermath of a drone debris strike on a residential structure in Tver,” he stated.

An AFP video from the scene depicted a damaged apartment building with charred windows on several floors, while surveillance footage captured a drone colliding with the structure.

“We witnessed a massive flame. It was an extremely intense fire. Only after the flames were put out could we comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy,” shared Natalia, a resident of a nearby house, in an interview with AFP.

The reports also indicated that a circus near the apartment building sustained damage, as shown in the AFP footage.

Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been contending with frequent shelling and aerial assaults, launching drone attacks that it claims are aimed at Russian military and energy facilities.

The Russian military reported that it intercepted 90 Ukrainian drones overnight.

This event followed one of the largest attempted drone offensives by Kyiv during the war on Thursday, where nearly 300 drones were shot down.