A large-scale drone attack hit several parts of Russia late on 10 July and continued into the early hours of 11 July. Explosions were reported in multiple areas, including Kursk Oblast, Tula city in Tula Oblast, and Dubna near Moscow, raising serious alarm across the country.
Drone Attacks Strike Key Russian Regions Overnight
Russian officials confirmed that arms manufacturing plants and other sensitive defense facilities were targeted during the strikes. The Astra Telegram channel, along with regional governors and Russia’s Defense Ministry, provided key updates as the situation unfolded.
In Kursk Oblast, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said the drone attacks began late in the evening and hit an industrial facility, Pselskoye LLC, in the village of Maloye Soldatskoye. This led to a fire in the machinery section of the premises. Thankfully, no injuries were reported there.
Soon after, another strike hit Imeni Karla Libknekhta village in the Kurchatov district. A fire broke out in a timber warehouse, spreading over 50 square meters. Fire crews rushed to the scene to put out the flames and dismantle damaged structures. No one was harmed in this attack either.
Explosions Near Moscow and Tula: Defense Facilities Targeted by Drones
Around 1:00 AM, the Astra Telegram channel reported that flight restrictions had been placed at Zhukovsky Airport in Moscow, pointing to growing security concerns.
In Dubna, north of Moscow, residents heard loud explosions. It was reported that Ukrainian drones attacked the Kronshtadt plant, a key drone manufacturing facility. This plant had previously been targeted in May 2025, making it a repeated focus of air attacks.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that air defense systems had destroyed a drone that was approaching Moscow. Emergency services were deployed to the crash site of the drone debris.
Reports also emerged from Lukhovitsy, another town in Moscow Oblast, where residents heard drone activity overnight. This town is home to the P. A. Voronin Lukhovitsk Aviation Plant and a local oil depot. However, the exact target of the drone strike remains unclear.
In Tula city, multiple explosions were reported, especially in the Proletarsky district, which houses three of the largest defense industry facilities in Russia. These factories had already been hit in May and June 2025.
According to analysis of eyewitness videos, drones may have targeted:
- The Instrument Design Bureau, known for making high-precision guided weapons.
- NPO Splav, which produces multiple-launch rocket systems.
- Shcheglovsky Val, a major company that builds ground weapons, air defence systems, and firearms.
All three facilities have previously suffered damage from drone attacks. On 18 and 20 June, the Instrument Design Bureau was hit, damaging electrical substations, storage buildings, and offices.
On 25 May, Shcheglovsky Val had one of its workshops damaged, including the roof and windows. NPO Splav was struck twice, on 7 and 22 May, with one incident causing a workshop fire and damage to an electrical substation.
Russian Officials Confirm Casualties and Widespread Interceptions
Tula Oblast Governor Dmitry Milyayev confirmed the latest drone attacks and said 13 drones had been shot down over the region. Unfortunately, one person was killed and another injured during the incident.
In Lipetsk Oblast, Governor Igor Artamonov reported that a drone had fallen onto the grounds of an agricultural business in the Khlevnoye district. A fire broke out but was quickly extinguished. There was one fatality and another person was hurt in this event as well.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that air defense forces had intercepted and destroyed 155 drones during the operation. According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s breakdown, a total of 53 drones were destroyed over Kursk Oblast, making it the most heavily targeted region. Bryansk Oblast saw 19 drones intercepted, followed by 15 over Smolensk Oblast and 14 over Belgorod Oblast. In Tula Oblast, where major defense industries are located, 13 drones were reportedly downed.
Both Moscow and Oryol oblasts had 11 drones intercepted each. Additionally, 4 drones were destroyed over Lipetsk Oblast, and 2 each over Rostov and Kaluga oblasts. The ministry also reported that 7 drones were intercepted over Crimea and 4 over the Black Sea.
Ukrainian drones break through Russian defenses, cause heavy losses to helicopters in Crimea airbase
The ministry did not share the total number of drones involved, only those that were intercepted. Additionally, no detailed information on the full extent of the damage from the drone strikes has been released yet.
The large-scale nature of the attack, the repeat targeting of major defense sites, and the limited information from officials have all contributed to heightened concern across the country. The drone strikes have also prompted new safety measures in several regions, including flight restrictions and active deployment of emergency services.
