Authorities in Russia’s Murmansk region issued a heightened drone attack warning on Wednesday, prompting local airports to impose flight restrictions amid unverified reports of an unmanned aircraft being shot down.
Governor Andrei Chibis announced the threat on Telegram, stating, “A drone threat has been detected in the Murmansk region. All necessary security measures are being taken.”
In response to the potential threat, civil aviation authorities implemented immediate flight restrictions at Murmansk Airport and Apatity Airport, both key hubs in the region.
The restrictions aim to safeguard aircraft operations following the reported incident. According to Rosaviatsia, Russia’s state aviation agency, “Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers, and airport services are taking all necessary measures to ensure flight safety — this is the priority.”
The situation unfolded after Violetta Grudina, a former regional coordinator for Alexei Navalny’s activist organization, shared a video on Telegram.
The footage allegedly depicts Russian air defense systems intercepting and destroying a drone over Murmansk. Grudina suggested the video shows a Ukrainian drone targeting the area near the closed military settlement of Vysoky.
“Drones have been attacking the Murmansk region for four days,” Grudina reported. “Due to these attacks, workers at the ANOF-3 plant and the Vostochny mine have been evacuated multiple times.”
Vysoky is situated approximately 1,755 kilometers (1,091 miles) north of Russia’s border with Ukraine. The reported drone downing, if confirmed, would represent the furthest penetration of a Ukrainian drone into Russian territory since the outset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
No previous reports of drone attacks in the Murmansk region have been recorded since the war began, highlighting the unusual nature of Wednesday’s incident. The heightened alert and flight restrictions reflect the increasing concern over security and potential disruptions to regional operations.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and evolving nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides utilizing drones for surveillance and targeted strikes. As authorities continue to investigate the situation, the region remains on high alert for further developments.
The situation continues to evolve, and additional information is expected as local and federal authorities provide updates on the investigation and the measures being taken to address the drone threat.