Ukrainian kamikaze drones attacked multiple military facilities in Russia’s Lipetsk, Belgorod, and Voronezh regions overnight on June 17. According to Ukrainian military intelligence sources, these strikes targeted key infrastructure used for military purposes, including the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant and a nearby tractor plant.
Residents in Lipetsk reported hearing explosions and witnessing smoke over the tractor plant around 1:40 a.m. Local social media posts corroborated these reports, with video evidence showing the aftermath of strikes on the metallurgical plant. The strikes caused considerable disruption, prompting air defense systems to activate.
In Voronezh Oblast, explosions were reported around 3:00 a.m. Local authorities confirmed threats of aerial attacks, and residents reported hearing blasts. Similar incidents occurred in Rostov Oblast, where a drone attack on the Morozovsk airfield led to a fire and power outages. The Morozovsk airfield, known to host Su-34 fighter jets, faced a substantial drone assault, leaving parts of the area without power.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted and downed 87 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 70 over Rostov Oblast, six each over Voronezh and Kursk Oblasts, two over Belgorod and Volgograd Oblasts, and one over Crimea. Despite these interceptions, local authorities and residents reported significant disturbances and operational responses from air defense systems.
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