Drone strikes hit Russia’s Urals, explosions reported in Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg
Smoke after a drone attack on the city of Chelyabinsk in Russia, April 25, 2026 (Photo: Exilenova+ / Telegram)
Drone attacks targeted Russia’s Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk oblasts with explosions, fires and strikes reported in several cities across the Urals on Apr. 25.
Chelyabinsk Oblast Governor Alexei Teksler said there was an attempted attack on an infrastructure facility, adding that there were no casualties or damage.
Russian Telegram channels said the target may have been the Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant, where explosions were heard. Witnesses also reported a drone flying toward the Chelyabinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Navigators, according to the Astra Telegram channel.
A drone attack alert was also issued for the first time in the neighboring Kurgan Oblast.
In Sverdlovsk Oblast in the Urals, the city of Yekaterinburg was also targeted. According to the Astra Telegram channel, Ukrainian drones may have targeted the Ural production enterprise Vektor, which services weapons and military equipment and produces radar and radio navigation systems. The plant is part of the Almaz-Antey concern and is under U.S. and Ukrainian sanctions.
The facility is located about 3 kilometers from the Trinity residential complex in the city center, where a drone reportedly struck. Regional Governor Denis Pasler said six people were injured and 50 were evacuated.
Russian social media accounts said residents of Yekaterinburg had received no prior warning of a drone threat before the strike.
Ukrainian OSINT channel Exilenova+ said the Urals were attacked by Ukrainian Lyutyi strike drones, which flew 2,000–2,500 kilometers deep into Russian territory.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defenses intercepted 127 Ukrainian drones overnight over 13 Russian oblasts, as well as over Crimea.
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