Drones target Yaroslavl, Moscow as red alert declared in several Russian regions PHOTO

Drones have reportedly targeted the Russian cities of Yaroslavl and Moscow, prompting authorities to restrict traffic and declare a red alert level in several regions, according to Russian media and officials.

Yaroslavl Region Governor Mikhail Yevrayev said a drone threat had been reported in the region. Traffic toward Moscow was restricted, while several public transport routes were temporarily changed.

Buses travelling along Moskovsky Prospekt were rerouted via Suzdal Highway and Kalinin Street, while some services were shortened. Intermunicipal bus routes using a closed section of the M8 highway were also temporarily suspended, according to Yevrayev.

The governor did not specify what had been targeted in Yaroslavl. However, photographs circulating on social media appeared to show the aftermath of an attack, including windows shattered in residential buildings.

Meanwhile, drones were also reportedly detected over Moscow and the surrounding Moscow Region. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defence systems had destroyed two unmanned aerial vehicles flying toward the capital.

“Two UAVs flying toward Moscow were destroyed by the Russian Defence Ministry’s air defence systems,” Sobyanin said, adding that emergency services were working at the site where debris had fallen.

Black smoke was reportedly seen rising over Pavlovsky Posad in the Moscow Region.

A red alert level was also declared in Vladimir and Ivanovo regions, as well as in southeastern parts of Moscow Region.

By Vugar Khalilov