Multiple blasts heard in Russia's Chelyabinsk as drones target city

Drones launched by the Armed Forces of Ukraine targeted the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, with air defence systems intercepting the attack, according to local authorities and media reports.

Reports of explosions in the city were first published by the Telegram channel Shot.

According to the outlet, local residents said they heard between two and three explosions in the southwestern part of the city approximately 40 minutes before the report was published. The loud blasts reportedly triggered car alarms, and smoke was later seen rising in one of the districts.

“Local residents said that about 40 minutes ago, they heard 2–3 explosions in the southwest of the city. Car alarms were triggered by the loud sounds. After that, smoke was seen in one of the districts. Preliminary reports indicate that air defence systems engaged Ukrainian UAVs,” the channel said.

The governor of the Chelyabinsk region, Alexey Teksler, confirmed that air defence forces had repelled a drone attack targeting an infrastructure facility.

By Tamilla Hasanova