Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack in the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, claiming that 158 drones were allegedly shot down over Russian territory and the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
One of the likely targets was the military airfield in Mozdok, North Ossetia. While the head of the region stated that there were no casualties or damage as a result of the strike, the Telegram channel Astra published a photo reportedly taken near the local House of Culture, located about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the airfield.
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The head of North Ossetia, Sergey Menyaylo, said: “A drone attack was repelled in the Mozdok district. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 15 drones were destroyed by air defense systems.” He insisted there were “no casualties or destruction,” while adding that a “drone danger regime” is in effect across North Ossetia.
The Mozdok airbase, which was reportedly targeted, is used by Russia to launch Tupolev strategic bombers and MiG-31K (NATO: “Foxhound”) fighter-bombers involved in missile strikes against Ukraine.
Additionaly, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted a military airfield in Russia’s Orenburg region, according to acting governor Yevgeny Solntsev. He claimed that all drones were shot down by air defense systems, with no casualties or damage. ASTRA reported that the strike was aimed at the “Orenburg-2” airbase. As of now, Russia’s Ministry of Defense has not commented on the incident.
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Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted Russia’s Penza region overnight, specifically the Serdobsky district, where a major missile and artillery ammunition depot is located.
According to the Penza regional governor, two drones were shot down by air defense systems around 9:00 p.m. He stated there were no casualties or visible damage.
Open-source data suggests the district hosts the military arsenal of unit 58661-90 (formerly unit 83368), which stores rocket and artillery equipment. While the exact target is not confirmed, it’s likely this depot was one of the objectives of the attack.
This same ammunition depot was previously attacked in October last year, when a fire broke out at the site, as reported by outlet ASTRA. Serdobsk is located approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Meanwhile, Russian Telegram channels citing local residents reported multiple explosions across several settlements in the Rostov region, with damaged rooftops in residential areas. In the Aksay district, one drone allegedly got stuck on a clothesline on the balcony of a high-rise building, prompting an evacuation of its residents.
The Ukrainian side has not yet officially responded to the attack on Russian territory.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, the drones were allegedly shot down as follows:
- 67 over Krasnodar Krai
- 29 over Rostov region
- 15 over North Ossetia
- 11 over Voronezh region
- 10 over Kursk region
- 5 over Belgorod region
- 3 over occupied Crimea
- 2 over Penza region
- 1 each over Saratov and Oryol regions, and Stavropol Krai
- 7 over the Sea of Azov
- 6 over the Black Sea
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