Two firefighters killed after drone debris sparks fire in Russia's Smolensk region

Two firefighters were killed while responding to a blaze caused by debris from a downed Ukrainian drone in Russia's Smolensk region, local authorities said on June 3.

Smolensk Governor Vasily Anokhin said Russian air defences and electronic warfare units intercepted or neutralised 31 Ukrainian drones over the region overnight during an attack on critical infrastructure facilities, Caliber.Az reports. 

According to the governor, debris from one of the drones sparked a fire in the Ershichsky district. Two firefighters from the regional branch of Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry died while battling the blaze.

Two other firefighters and one local resident sustained minor injuries, Anokhin said.

"Unfortunately, there were casualties," the governor said in a statement, confirming the deaths of the emergency responders.

By Sabina Mammadli