Russia opens terrorism case over Ukrainian drone attack on Nizhny Novgorod region industrial site

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on terrorism charges over a Ukrainian drone attack on an industrial facility in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, its spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said Sunday.

Petrenko said in a statement that an industrial enterprise in the Kstovo district was significantly damaged during a massive Ukrainian drone attack overnight.

“The Main Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case on an act of terrorism in connection with an attack by Ukrainian armed formations on an industrial facility and civilian infrastructure in the Nizhny Novgorod region,” she said.

Media reports claimed that Ukraine had struck another Russian oil refinery belonging to Lukoil.

According to Petrenko, damage was also recorded at civilian infrastructure facilities. No casualties were reported, according to preliminary information.

The committee is establishing the type and model of the drones used, as well as the specific Ukrainian military personnel involved in the attack, she said.

“The actions of the Ukrainian armed forces once again demonstrate exceptional cynicism, expressed in striking facilities on Russian territory,” Petrenko said.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces continued overnight drone strikes on logistics infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army and on vessels carrying military cargo.

The ministry said it hit traffic control facilities at the Konotop railway station in Ukraine’s Sumy region, which it claimed were used to facilitate deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Ukrainian forces from western regions of the country.

It also said a dry cargo vessel carrying supplies for Ukrainian forces was struck at sea 69 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Odesa.

The claims could not be independently verified.