A wave of drone strikes reportedly targeted several locations across Russia in the early hours of June 6, including a military facility in Michurinsk, Tambov Oblast, according to Russian media outlets. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims at the time of publication.
In Michurinsk, local residents cited by Russian Telegram channels claimed that a drone struck the JSC Progress Plant, setting one of its workshops on fire. The plant manufactures advanced aviation and missile control systems, as well as equipment for oil and gas pipelines. It was previously targeted in a drone attack in December 2024.
No official statements have been released by Russian authorities regarding the incident.
Additional drone strikes were reported in Saratov, Moscow, Tula, Belgorod, and Kaluga oblasts. In Saratov, a drone allegedly hit the Kristal oil refinery, which supplies fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield. The facility caught fire, Russian sources said. Ukraine has previously targeted the site.
In Belgorod Oblast, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that a train derailed after an explosive device detonated beneath the tracks. The explosion damaged part of the railway, but there were no injuries.
In Moscow, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that air defenses shot down 10 drones approaching the capital. Emergency services were deployed to the wreckage sites, but no damage or casualties were disclosed.
Kaluga Oblast Governor Vladislav Shapsha said five drones were downed over his region, with debris damaging vehicles.
In Tula Oblast, two drones were reportedly intercepted by air defenses. Governor Dmitry Milyaev said three people were injured in the incident.
These reported drone strikes came the same night Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault on Ukraine, killing four people in Kyiv and injuring several others in western cities far from the front line.
Tensions have intensified as peace negotiations remain stalled and Moscow rejects calls for a ceasefire. In late May, Russia launched some of its most severe aerial attacks of the full-scale war, targeting Ukraine for three nights in a row.
Ukraine responded days later with Operation Spiderweb—a mass drone strike that reportedly damaged 41 Russian military aircraft. Since then, Ukraine has continued its campaign by striking key Russian targets, including missile bases and the strategic Crimean Bridge.
