An Explosive Blast in a Russian Town Caused by a Drone
Recently, an explosion occurred in the Apatity town of Murmanskaya Oblast in Russia. The cause of this blast was later determined to be the impact of a drone. It is believed that the drone had been modified to possess explosive capabilities when it collided with a building in the town. Authorities are currently conducting further investigations into the incident, trying to determine who is responsible for the weaponized drone, as well as its motive.
Explosion in Murmanskaya Oblast
On Saturday, Sept. 14, an explosion occurred at Apatity, a town in Murmanskaya Oblast, located in the Northern part of Russia. At the time of explosion, the town was experiencing heavy rains, making it difficult for people to identify the cause of the explosion. Later it was revealed that the explosion was caused by a drone colliding into a two-story residential building. The drone, as per reports from the eye-witnesses of the incident, was eventually blown up after the collision, which caused massive destruction.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Explosion
Though the cause of the explosion wasn’t initially clear, the townspeople gave detailed accounts of hearing an explosion which shook the entire town, and this was followed by thick black smoke and debris rising from what is now believed to be the impact site. People described the blast in varying terms, from intense and scary to deafening, chaotic, and traumatic.
The Impact of the Explosion
The drone-caused blast caused massive destruction to the two-story residential building. Firefighters and rescue personnel were quickly dispatched to the area to assess the damage and help in evacuating injured people and rescuing those who had been trapped inside the building. The injured people were taken to the nearest hospital for medical attention. The building, unfortunately, has been declared structurally unsound and residents of the building have been displaced as a result.
Who is Responsible For the Weaponized Drone?
At present, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is conducting an investigation into the incident in order to determine who is responsible for the drone. The authorities, so far, have identified the type of drone that was used in the incident, which was a Predator-type. Sources revealed that the drone has been heavily modified to possess explosive capabilities that made it more dangerous and destructive.
The Motive Behind the Weaponized Drone
Though the motives behind the weaponized drone are still unclear, investigators believe that this attack may have been in response to the political situation in the region. This theory is being considered, especially after the rise of political tensions in Murmanskaya Oblast prior to the blast, largely owing to disputes over shared resources.
Actions Taken by Local Authorities Post Incident
In the wake of the incident, both the local and federal authorities have taken radical measures, especially in terms of security, for all public places in the region. These measures include installing CCTV cameras, additional security personnel, and other surveillance tools. In addition, Apatity town has also declared a state of emergency, to ensure the protection of citizens from similar disruptive incidents.
The explosion which occurred in Apatity town in Murmanskaya Oblast has been confirmed to have been caused due to an incoming drone which had been modified to possess explosive capabilities. The local people, personnel, and authorities are working together to identify the responsible party, as well as the motives behind the attack, while also taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
