Russia’s southwestern port city of Taganrog was hit by a missile in an overnight strike on an industrial facility, igniting several vehicles, acting governor of the Rostov region, Yuri Slyusar, announced on Wednesday
“Preliminary reports indicate no injuries,” Slyusar stated via Telegram, adding that 14 cars caught fire. Details on other affected areas or the scale of the attack were not disclosed.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the region. In November, Ukraine utilized US-supplied ATACMS missiles for the first time to strike targets within Russia, following approval from outgoing US President Joe Biden’s administration. Shortly after, Russia retaliated by firing a hypersonic missile at Ukraine’s Dnipro.
Russian forces have since reported intercepting at least 15 ATACMS missiles. President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of “direct involvement” in the ongoing conflict due to its supply of advanced weaponry to Ukraine.
Taganrog, located near the Black Sea and close to the Ukrainian border, is home to a Russian air base believed to launch drones, bombers, and other weapons used against Ukraine. Local authorities, including Taganrog city head Svetlana Kambulova, confirmed that police have cordoned off the affected area.
Videos circulating on unofficial Russian Telegram channels captured the sound of multiple explosions in the area, though their exact origins remain unclear.