The northern Russian region of Murmansk has come under attack by Ukrainian UAVs, Governor Andrey Chibis announced on his Telegram Channel on Wednesday. According to Chibis, local air defense has been put on alert to repel the incoming drones.
Russian aviation regulator Rosaviatsia has reported that both the airports of regional capital Murmansk, a strategic port city on Russia's northern coast, and the town of Apatity have been temporarily shut down to ensure the safety of civil aircraft.
The region borders both Finland, NATO's newest member, and Norway. Chibis warned locals to stay vigilant and pay attention to air-raid alerts.
“Our region is being attacked by enemy drones, so I ask you to be understanding about a number of temporary restrictions that we have to introduce. All necessary measures to improve security are being taken. The air defense is working to destroy enemy drones,” the governor said in a video address early on Wednesday.
The Baza Telegram channel earlier reported that three drones had been spotted heading in the direction of Severomorsk, home to the main naval base of the Russian Northern Fleet in the region. The governor did not comment on that report, but later announced on Telegram that “all three drones” had been shot down. He did not disclose any details regarding casualties or damage from the attack.
The Murmansk Region is located in the northwest of the European part of Russia along the Barents and White Seas. It shares a land border with Finland and Norway, and its capital of the same name is considered the world’s largest city north of the Arctic Circle.
Kiev has stepped up its UAV attacks on Russia over the past several months, with drones said to be targeting energy infrastructure often hitting residential areas. The latest wave took place overnight on Monday, with the Defense Ministry reporting a total of 144 UAVs destroyed or intercepted in nine Russian regions, including Moscow. During the raid, at least two apartment blocks were hit in the city of Ramenskoye outside the capital, resulting in the death of a 46-year-old woman. The incursion also led to multiple flight delays at Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports.