During the early hours of November 25, the Russian cities of Novorossiysk and Taganrog faced severe damage and chaos, marking one of the most intense assaults in recent months on the country's southern territories.
The night was filled with explosions and air defense activity as Novorossiysk experienced a barrage of drone attacks. Residents reported hearing relentless sirens and witnessing drones circling overhead, prompting fears of chemical or radiation hazards. Authorities quickly issued alerts, but later clarified that the threats were false, attributing the panic to a suspected hacking of the warning system by Ukrainian hackers.
Despite the false alarms, the city suffered tangible damage. A 16-story residential building was struck by debris from a downed drone, damaging its upper floors.
Another apartment complex caught fire due to falling debris, destroying several apartments and causing at least one injury. Eyewitnesses described ongoing explosions and drone activity until dawn, with the sounds of air defenses filling the night sky.
Similar scenes unfolded in neighboring cities including Gelendzhik, Novorossiysk, Tuapse, and Krasnodar, where residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid dangerous areas amid the chaos.
Meanwhile, in Taganrog, located in the Rostov region, residents reported hearing more than 20 powerful explosions shortly after midnight. Witnesses described shockwaves shaking windows, car alarms blaring, and thick smoke rising from fire sites. Local sources attribute the explosions to Ukrainian drones intercepted by Russian air defenses, with fires breaking out at multiple locations across the city.
An air alert was issued throughout the Rostov region, urging civilians to seek shelter, close windows, and stay away from open areas amid ongoing military activity.
