Murmansk region of Arctic Russia targeted in drone attack

Several drones have attacked targets in the far northern Russian region.

Videos show a drone that reportedly fly over Vysokii, a small town located next to the strategically important Olenya air base. The UAV is flying low and is met by massive air defence fire. Ultimately, it is hit and explodes in the air.

The governor of Murmansk Wednesday afternoon informed about the attacks.

“On the territory of Murmansk Oblast air threat from drones has been detected,” Andrei Chibis writes on his Telegram channel. “All security measures are being taken. I call on all northerners to be attentive and report on 112 about suspicious situations,” he adds.

Reportedly, the far northern region has over the past four days experienced several attacks.

According to Violetta Grudina, a local opposition activist who now lives in exile, the latest drone flew from the south at 1300 meter altitude. The video is filmed by a local eyewitness.

Reportedly, several companies in the area have over the past days repeatedly evacuated staff.

It is not the first time that the Olenya has been attacked. In late July, a Ukrainian drone managed to hit the airbase located as much as 1,800 km north of Ukrainian territory. The drone reportedly hit a long-range supersonic bomber-missile carrier TU-22M3

It was the first reported attack inside the Arctic Circle after Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022.

Related stories from around the North: 

Canada: Canada pledges billions for defence, falls short of NATO’s 2%, CBC News

Denmark: Denmark’s Arctic, North Atlantic focus: Canada among new defence attaché posts, Eye on the Arctic

Finland: Military exercise apparently disrupts weather images from Lapland, Yle News

Iceland: RAF Squadron begins NATO airspace patrols in Iceland, Eye on the Arctic 

Norway: Against Russian aggression: Norway signs security agreement with Ukraine, The Independent Barents Observer