Drones attacked Rostov-on-Don and Primorsko-Akhtarsk: fires broke out

5 July, 2024 Ukrainian "Lyutyi" attack drone in the sky over the Russian Federation, March 2024 On the night of Friday, July 5, drones attacked the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. This was reported by Russian telegram channels and local authorities.

The attack caused fires and damaged energy infrastructure. Around 3 a.m., Rostov Region Governor Vasily Golubev announced that Russian air defense systems have been operating near the regional center. An hour later, he reported that 10 drones had allegedly been shot down over the region.

He added that the falling wreckage of the UAVs had caused "wildfires" on the left bank of the Don River in Rostov and in the Azov district. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties, and the consequences are being investigated. However, local media reported that the drones could have attacked an oil transshipment terminal (oil depot) between Bataysk and Rostov. However, there is currently no official confirmation of this information.

Fire near Rostov-on-Don.

July 5, 2024. Image: Dnipro OSINT

Analysts from the Dnipro OSINT group determined from eyewitness videos that the fire could indeed have been on the territory of a Russian oil depot. In addition, drones attacked Primorsko-Akhtarsk in the Krasnodar Krai, where there is a military airfield from which the invaders launch Shahed 136 (Geran-2) attack drones into Ukraine.

Local authorities claimed that the UAV had allegedly been shot down by the Russian air defense, but the drone's wreckage had damaged a local power substation, causing a power and water cut in part of the city. This was also later confirmed by the governor of the region, Veniamin Kondratiev. According to him, repair and restoration work is underway.

"Special services are currently working at the site, and damage assessment is underway," the official said.

Over the past few months, there have been regular attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles on military facilities and oil infrastructure.