Ukraine has launched a wave of overnight drone attacks on Russia, causing fires at two Russian energy facilities.
According to Russia’s defence ministry, more than 158 Ukrainian drones targeted 15 regions of the country, including the capital Moscow.
The Russian military claimed that these drones were intercepted and destroyed.
But as a result of the attack a fire has broken out at an oil refinery in Moscow in a “separate technical room”, the city’s mayor said.
Sergei Sobyanin reported that at least 11 drones targeted the capital city and the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, 75 miles (120km) from the Russian capital, in the Tver region, loud blasts were heard close to the Konakovo Power Station.
Russian media are reporting a fire at the facility.
The region’s governor, Igor Rudenya, acknowledged a fire caused by an attack in Konakovsky district had been contained, without providing details of what was hit.
Local officials also said drones attempted to attack the Kashira Power Plant in the Moscow region – but that there were no fires, damage or casualties as a result.
BBC Verify has examined and verified videos posted on social media which show explosions at all three locations. In the footage, fires appear to have subsequently broken out at Konakovo Power Station and the Moscow refinery.
Ukraine has not commented on the claims.
But Ukrainian forces have been stepping up long-range strikes inside Russia over the past few months, launching scores of drones simultaneously at strategic targets several times a week.
Credit: bbc.com
