Voronezh hit by 113-drone swarm

Russian air defenses intercepted 113 drones over Voronezh and the surrounding oblast during an overnight attack on October 25 and 26. The strikes triggered fires at two major industrial sites: the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association, known as VASO, and the Voronezhsintezkauchuk rubber plant.

Ukrainian open-source intelligence channels Supernova+ and Exilenova+ identified the Voronezhsintezkauchuk facility as a primary target. The plant belongs to the Sibur group, a large Russian corporation, and produces synthetic rubbers and polymer materials. VASO, part of the Ilyushin Aviation Complex division within the United Aircraft Corporation, manufactures aviation components and the Ilyushin Il-96 jet airliner.

Aleksandr Gusev, the governor of Voronezh Oblast, confirmed to Interfax that fires broke out at several industrial businesses. He described the incidents as occurring without significant consequences, a characterization that contrasts with damage reports from local media. Gusev stated that air defense units shot down more than 70 drones directly over the city. The total count reached 113 when including intercepts across the wider urban area and several districts in the oblast.

The blast effects and debris damaged building facades and windows in nearly every district of Voronezh. Gusev reported additional fires in a business center, an apartment building, two dacha settlements, a school stadium, and a garage cooperative. Russian media outlet Astra documented specific impact locations, including the Galereya Chizhova business center at 35A Koltsovskaya Street.

Astra also identified explosion sites near residential buildings on 52A 25th Yanvarya Street and 4K Arkhitektora Troitskovo Street. Further damage occurred at the Uritsky residential complex on 135 Uritskovo Street. At least ten cars burned in a car park on 275/1 45th Strelkovoy Divizii Street. Readers of Astra reported hearing explosions and air defense operations for over an hour.

The city remained shrouded in smoke throughout the engagement. Residents noted that no formal air-raid warning was issued before the strikes began. Local authorities are currently assessing the full extent of damage to public and private property.