Wed Sep 18 04:08:44 UTC 2024: ## Drone Attack Sparks Partial Evacuation in Russian Town
**Toropets, Russia:** A partial evacuation has been ordered in the town of Toropets, located northwest of Moscow, after a Ukrainian drone attack ignited a fire. According to Tver Region Governor Igor Rudenya, local air defenses were activated to intercept the drone, but fragments from the downed aircraft caused a blaze. Emergency services are currently working to extinguish the fire and contain the damage.
“Falling drone fragments” sparked the fire, the governor stated, adding that a partial evacuation has been ordered “from the territory where the air defenses are active and responders are working to contain the fire.” Fortunately, there are no reported casualties.
This incident comes amidst a wave of overnight drone attacks across Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 54 Ukrainian drones were destroyed in five regions. In the border city of Shebekino, a kamikaze drone struck a bus, injuring four civilians.
Shebekino, with a pre-conflict population of 40,000, has been a frequent target of shelling and drone attacks since 2022. Ukraine has been intensifying its drone raids deep within Russian territory in recent months, focusing primarily on energy infrastructure but also striking residential areas. Earlier this month, drones targeted three apartment blocks in the city of Ramenskoye outside Moscow, resulting in one fatality and three injuries.
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