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Ukrainian drone strikes hit Yekaterinburg in Russia’s Ural region for the first time
Ukrainian drones have, for the first time, struck Russia’s Ural region, reportedly covering a record distance of about 1,800 kilometers. The strike hit a residential building in Yekaterinburg. According to local officials , a drone hit the upper floors of a 32-story building in the city center while residents were still sleeping. The building was urgently evacuated. Six people sought medical assistance, with one person hospitalized.
“A powerful explosion blew out six floors of windows. A black cloud rose instantly, and flames could be seen coming from the windows just below the top floor,” said one eyewitness.
It is unclear whether the residential complex was specifically targeted. No military sites are known to be near the high-rise, however, Yekaterinburg is home to several major Russian industrial companies.
Among them are the Academician N. A. Semikhatov NPO Avtomatiki, which develops management systems and radio-electronic equipment for rockets and spacecraft; the Kalinin Machine-Building Plant, a military equipment manufacturer and part of the Almaz-Antey corporation; and the Ural Heavy Machinery Plant, a key producer of self-propelled artillery systems in Russia.
Yekaterinburg is Russia’s fourth largest city, with over 1.5 million residents, located on the eastern slope of the central Ural Mountains. In response to the strike, State Duma member Maxim Ivanov called it a “political act,” saying: “Ukrainians want to show they can reach the Urals. This drone covered 1,800 kilometers and was not detected anywhere on the way. And even if it was, maybe someone didn’t take it seriously, which led to these consequences. We need to recognize that there is almost no rear area anymore.”
Meanwhile, overnight, the Russian military struck Dnipro, Ukraine. An apartment building was destroyed, killing at least three people and wounding at least 21, including children. Rescue operations are continuing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia hit Dnipro and other Ukrainian cities for most of the night. “Russian tactics remain unchanged: attack drones, cruise missiles, and a significant portion of ballistics. Most targets are ordinary urban infrastructure,” he said, urging allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that eight regions were attacked overnight. In addition to casualties in Dnipro, deaths were reported in Nizhyn, Chernihiv region, while among the injured in Kharkiv region was an 18-month-old child.
