Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 27 Ukrainian drones overnight – 15 over Belgorod Oblast, seven over Voronezh, three over Tambov, and two over Kursk Oblast.

Multiple Ukrainian drones allegedly targeted a gunpowder factory in Russia’s Tambov Oblast overnight of 16 January, Russian Telegram channels report, citing local residents.

Locals reportedly heard “characteristic engine sounds” over the city of Kotovsk, according to the Shot Telegram channel. The drones were reportedly heading toward the gunpowder factory in Kuzmino-Gat village.

The Russian Mash Telegram channel reported that residents spotted “several UAVs” and saw flashes in the sky. According to the channel, the drones were launched from Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast, which is about 500 kilometres from the Tambov gunpowder factory. Kuzmino-Gat vilage located about 450 kilometers east of the Russia-Ukraine border.

Russian officials have not yet confirmed the attack or its impact.

Ukrainian military command has not commented on the reported strike as well. However, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation Andriy Kovalenko said on the morning of 16 January that this was “not the first attack on the Tambov gunpowder factory.”

According to Kovalenko, the targeted enterprise is one of the main suppliers of explosive materials for the Russian army. The facility produces gunpowder used for various small arms, artillery and rocket systems, he added. It also produces colloxilin used in explosives and other specialized products.

Voronezh Oblast Governor Alexander Gusev said on the morning of 16 January that over 10 drones struck an oil depot in the oblast overnight. The drones penetrated protective netting installed on storage tanks at the facility in Liski district.

There were no casualties and there was no damage to citizens’ property, according to Gusev.

In Belgorod region, Ukrainian forces conducted extensive strikes across multiple districts, according to local authorities. The attacks involved both artillery and drone strikes.

Euromaidan Press cannot independently verify this information.

Ukrainian forces have significantly escalated their drone operations against Russian targets, reportedly attacking over 54,000 sites in December 2024 alone, with nearly half of these strikes executed by kamikaze drones

Russian sources previously reported damage to apartment buildings in Kotovsk, Tambov Oblast, during a drone attack on 11 January.

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