‘Massive’ Drone Attack Forces Evacuation of Town, Closure of Schools

A significant drone assault occurred overnight in Russia’s Tver region, situated northwest of Moscow, prompting local authorities to take urgent measures. Residents of a town were partially evacuated, and schools and kindergartens in the surrounding area were closed as a precautionary response.

Governor Igor Rudenya announced the evacuation of residents to Zapadnaya Dvina, located 30 miles southeast, due to the ongoing drone attack over the town of Toropets. Local news agency TASS reported that efforts were underway to extinguish a fire triggered by drone debris during the assault.

In a social media update, Rudenya confirmed that a fire broke out from the wreckage of the drones, which had fallen as air defense initiatives were being executed. However, he characterized the situation as being under control initially. Yet, within half an hour, he called for a partial evacuation of the area, where air defense operations continued, and efforts to manage the fire were in progress.

As a result of the attack, educational services, including those for schools and kindergartens, were suspended in the Zapadnaya Dvina district until further notice. Footage circulating online depicted explosions and thick black smoke, reportedly from detonating ammunition storage facilities in Toropets. A notable video shared by Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, showed bright fireballs lighting up the night and mushroom clouds rising in the aftermath of the blasts.

Yermak emphasized the need for Russia’s demilitarization to combat ongoing terrorism, further underscoring the urgency of the situation. Additionally, reports from Ukraine’s Special Services indicated that this operation was a collaborative effort involving Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, the Security Service, and Special Operations Forces. The target appeared to be warehouses that stored missiles used in Iskander and Tochka systems, along with guided bombs and artillery shells.

An extensive storage facility for missiles, ammunition, and explosives was established in Toropets back in 2018. According to the Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda, Dmitry Bulgakov, then-Deputy Defense Minister of Russia, described this facility as a state-of-the-art arsenal, capable of holding as much as 240 tons of ammunition in each warehouse.

In a broader context, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukraine launched drone attacks across five Russian regions, claiming that “dozens” of drones were involved. The ministry stated that 54 drones were intercepted and destroyed by air defenses but failed to mention any specifics regarding the Tver region. The breakdown of downed drones included 27 over Kursk Oblast, 16 over Bryansk Oblast, 7 over Smolensk Oblast, 3 over Belgorod Oblast, and 1 over Oryol Oblast.

The drone attack in Tver signifies an escalation in tension, revealing the ongoing conflict and strategic operations being executed in the region. As military actions continue, local authorities remain vigilant, prioritizing the safety of residents and the effective management of the fallout from such aggressive confrontations.