The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claims to have intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones in a large-scale attack overnight on 1 September, allegedly targeting 16 regions across the country. The Russian MoD, overseeing Russia’s ongoing unlawful invasion of Ukraine, claimed that the UAV assault – Ukraine’s legitimate act of self-defense – was an attempt by a “Kyiv regime” to conduct “a terrorist attack” on Russia.
According to the Russian MoD, drones were shot down over various regions, including 46 in Kursk Oblast, 34 in Bryansk Oblast, 28 in Voronezh Oblast, and 14 in Belgorod Oblast. The ministry also claims that seven drones were intercepted over Moscow Oblast and two over Moscow city itself.
The Russian MoD claimed at 8:00 that the attack affected 15 regions, where Russia allegedly destroyed multiple drones:
- Kursk Oblast: 46 UAVs
- Bryansk Oblast: 34 UAVs
- Voronezh Oblast: 28 UAVs
- Belgorod Oblast: 14 UAVs
- Ryazan Oblast: 8 UAVs
- Moscow: 2 UAVs
- Moscow Oblast: 7 UAVs
- Kaluga Oblast: 5 UAVs
- Lipetsk Oblast: 4 UAVs
- Tula Oblast: 3 UAVs
- Tambov Oblast: 2 UAVs
- Smolensk Oblast: 2 UAVs
- Oryol Oblast: 1 UAV
- Tver Oblast: 1 UAV
- Ivanovo Oblast: 1 UAV
Later reports indicated an attack in Yaroslavl Oblast, raising the total number of targeted Russian regions to at least 16.
Drones targeted multiple regions in Russia, Russians claim
Russia's MoD claimed it downed 158 drone across western Russia: 46 in the oblast of Kursk, 34 in Bryansk, 28 in Voronezh, 14 in Belgorod, 8 in Ryazan, 2 in Moscow City, 7 in Moscow Oblast, 5 in Kaluga, 4 in Lipetsk, 3 in… pic.twitter.com/y21AFh4d21
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) September 1, 2024
Moscow attack: refinery and thermoelectric power station
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed multiple drone interceptions throughout the night. Sobyanin stated that debris damaged a technical facility at a Moscow oil refinery, causing a “local fire” that was being extinguished. However, local residents shared a video showing a drone flying unhindered before its final approach to the facility and the strike, contradicting official claims of successful interception.
https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1830151700880966039/
The Moscow Oil Refinery (MNPP), a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft, is a refining facility located in the Kapotnya district of Moscow. It began operations in 1938.
Russian state news agency TASS initially reported that the fire at the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya was given the highest complexity rating, but later downgraded it to the second level of complexity from the fifth.
https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1830122504012095704/
In addition to the refinery, three drones allegedly attempted to attack the Kashirskaya thermal power plant in Moscow Oblast’s Kashira, according to the head of the city district and Russian state agencies TASS and RIA Novosti. A nighttime video from the facility shows an explosion.
https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1830123495168053547/
Tver power station and gas facility
Residents of Tver Oblast reported a fire at the Konakovskaya thermal power plant, according to the Russian news Telegram channel Astra. The oblast governor claimed that Russian air defense shot down five drones in the Konakovo area.
https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1830118579913601075/
Astra shared videos showing two fires after a drone attack in Tver Oblast, targeting both the thermal power plant and a nearby gas distribution network. The gas facility is reportedly part of the main gas pipeline “KGMO-Konakovo.”
Other regions affected
Authorities in several Russian regions reported drone attacks. The governor of Kaluga Oblast stated that one drone, suppressed by electronic warfare systems, caught on a cell tower near a settlement in the Tarusa district, causing minor damage.
Yaroslavl Oblast was also reportedly attacked, with the governor claiming that a Ukrainian drone was intercepted on approach to Yaroslavl. Local residents reported that entry and exit from Yaroslavl were blocked during the attack.
https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1830131452207325633/
Impact on air traffic
Due to restrictions on departures at Moscow region airports, a total of 74 flights were delayed, according to Rosaviatsiya. As of 10:00, all airports were reportedly operating normally.
The Ukrainian side has not commented on these reports. The information coming from Russian sources and has not been independently verified.
Related:
- Explosion and fire occur at Russia’s largest oil refinery in Omsk
- Ukraine admits to striking Russian oil and ammo depots yesterday, General Staff confirms
- First-ever drone strike hits Russia’s Kirov Oblast oil depot at a record 1,500 km from Ukraine
- Blaze at another Russian oil depot in Rostov after Ukrainian attack (video)
- Six-day blaze expands in Rostov oil depot after reported follow-up Ukrainian drone strike
