On January 14, 2025, Russia experienced its most significant drone assault of the year, with Ukrainian forces reportedly launching over 200 drones and five long-range ATACMS missiles across twelve regions. This coordinated attack prompted the temporary closure of operations at six airports, including Kazan, Kaluga, Saratov, Tambov, Ulyanovsk, and Penza.
In the Tatarstan region, drones struck a liquefied gas storage facility near a chemical plant, igniting fires. Local authorities confirmed that a gas tank caught fire but was extinguished without any reported injuries. In Saratov, two industrial sites were damaged, leading to the closure of schools for remote learning due to safety concerns.
Reports indicate that the Ukrainian military utilized approximately 200 drones, primarily of the Lyutyi model, a variant of the Turkish Bayraktar, alongside an unspecified number of missiles. The governor of Saratov, Roman Busargin, noted that both Saratov and Engels were heavily targeted, resulting in significant destruction.
In the Bryansk region, a combined missile strike from Ukraine was reported, but details regarding the type of projectiles used were not disclosed. The governor of Bryansk stated that all targets were intercepted, and no damage or casualties were reported in the area.