Drone Attacks on Occupied Areas of Donetsk Oblast
A series of drone attacks on occupied areas of Donetsk Oblast in January and March 2024 caused fires at infrastructure sites and widespread power outages. On the night of March 1, drones struck the occupied city of Makiivka, igniting a fire at an oil depot. Explosions were also reported in other occupied cities, including Donetsk and Khartsyzk.
These strikes are part of a broader campaign targeting Russian-occupied territory in eastern Ukraine. On January 18, a series of explosions, primarily aimed at energy infrastructure, rocked temporarily occupied parts of Donetsk Oblast. This attack left the Kirovskyi and Kuibyshevskyi districts of Donetsk without electricity. Furthermore, on the night of January 14, drones targeted substations in the occupied territory.
Previously, on January 13, a blackout occurred in temporarily occupied Mariupol following a UAV attack, which also started a fire near Donetska Traktorya Street. It is likely that Russian military bases at the Illich Steel and Iron Works were also affected. Currently, power outages are being reported in many districts of the occupied Donetsk region.
Affected Cities and Districts
Cities where explosions were reported include:
- Donetsk
- Makiivka
- Khartsyzk
The districts of Donetsk left without power on January 18 were Kirovskyi and Kuibyshevskyi.
These attacks highlight the increasing activity of Ukrainian armed forces in occupied territories, suggesting a strategy aimed at degrading enemy military logistics and infrastructure. Such operations, while militarily significant, also exacerbate hardships for the civilian population already suffering from the war's consequences, including power disruptions and fires. The situation underscores the ongoing volatility in the region as the conflict continues.