Air defence systems blamed for explosions over Russia's Sochi early morning

Residents of Russia's Sochi have reported a series of loud explosions in the city, which, according to preliminary information, were caused by the activation of the air defence system. 

The explosions were first heard early in the morning, starting around 5:50 a.m., with between seven and ten blasts reported in the Lazarevsky area, as per eyewitness accounts shared on the SHOT Telegram channel, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Local residents stated that the explosions were powerful enough to make windows shake in their frames and set off car alarms. Many believe the cause of the blasts was the operation of an air defence system in the Black Sea region, possibly deployed to counter drone attacks.

At this time, there has been no official statement from authorities regarding the incident.

This follows similar reports from December 14, when eyewitnesses also reported explosions over Sochi, accompanied by the activation of air defence systems.

The Russian Ministry of Defense recently reported a series of retaliatory strikes, with Russia targeting facilities in Kyiv in response to a missile attack on a factory in the Rostov region. On December 18, Ukraine launched six ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow missiles at the Kamensky Combine in Rostov.

On the night of December 20, Russia’s Air Defense Systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over various regions of Russia. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense's Telegram channel, nine drones were downed over the Belgorod region, five in Voronezh, and three in the airspace over the Black Sea. Additionally, one drone was destroyed over Krasnodar Krai and another over the Kursk region.

ByTamilla Hasanova