The Russian Ministry of Defence reported the destruction of 16 Ukrainian drones in five different regions. Flight restrictions were imposed at St Petersburg airport following the drone strikes. One resident of Kyiv Region died in hospital after being hit by a Russian drone strike. Moscow and Kyiv exchanged a number of drone strikes, with both sides partially successful in intercepting some of them. The Russian air defences reportedly destroyed 16 Ukrainian drones on the night of 3 January, with the drones being downed over various regions including Bryansk, Smolensk, and Belgorod.
Leningrad regional governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed that one drone had been shot down near Luga Bay without any casualties or damage reported. In St. Petersburg, Pulkovo airport imposed flight restrictions due to the drone strikes, diverting 20 flights to alternative airports. In the Belgorod region, a drone strike caused damage to a private home and left a resident with a shrapnel wound. Power lines were also affected in various villages, and some infrastructure was damaged. However, the governors of Smolensk and Bryansk reported no casualties or significant damage in their regions.
Residents in Safonovo, Smolensk Region, reported hearing explosions overnight, but no damage to the Avangard plant was reported. The plant manufactures rocket engine casings, launch containers, and armoured components, leading to speculation that it may have been the intended target. One resident of Kyiv Region died in hospital after being seriously injured in a Russian strike, with another person remaining in intensive care. The Russian government insists that its military is not intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict involving drone strikes.
The Ukrainian Telegram channel “Exilenova+” suggested that the Avangard plant may have been the intended target of the drone strikes in Smolensk Region. Residents in various villages reported hearing explosions overnight, raising concerns about potential damage to infrastructure and facilities in the area. The Russian government continues to deny allegations of intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict and casualties reported in various regions. The drone strikes have resulted in damage to private homes, power lines, and other infrastructure, causing injuries to residents in affected areas.
The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the destruction of 16 Ukrainian drones in multiple regions, highlighting the escalating tensions between Moscow and Kyiv. Flight restrictions were imposed at St Petersburg airport following the drone strikes, diverting multiple flights to alternative airports. One resident of Kyiv Region died in hospital after being hit by a Russian drone strike, while others sustained injuries in separate attacks. The Russian government maintains that its military is not deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, despite reports of damage and casualties in various regions.
Leningrad regional governor Alexander Drozdenko reported one drone being shot down near Luga Bay without any casualties or damage. The Belgorod region experienced a drone strike that left a resident with a shrapnel wound and caused damage to a private home. Power lines were affected in several villages, and some infrastructure was damaged as a result of the attacks. Residents in Safonovo, Smolensk Region, heard explosions overnight, leading to speculation about potential targets of the drone strikes. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in casualties, injuries, and damage to infrastructure in various regions, prompting concerns about the escalation of hostilities.
