Russian authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Lipetsk region in south-western Russia following massive explosions caused by a Ukrainian drone attack on a military airfield near the city.

The attack led to the evacuation of persons from four villages near the military airfield, Lipetsk Governor Igor Artamonov wrote early Friday on Telegram.

Mr Artamonov said public transport in Lipetsk and the surrounding area has been suspended and power cuts have been reported due to damage to a power plant.

Six people have been injured as a result of the attacks, according to Mr Artamonov.

The military airbase is located some 280 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Air raid warnings were also issued in the neighbouring areas of Kursk, Bryansk, Belgorod and Voronezh.

Russian authorities reported that more than 70 drones had been intercepted.

In addition, authorities said four missiles were fired over Kursk amid ongoing fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops along the border.

Ukrainian forces were reported to have controlled several Russian towns near the border since an attack on Tuesday.

Ukrainian attacks were also reported on the annexed Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.

Three Ukrainian drones and a Neptune missile were shot down over the sea off the port city of Sevastopol, according to the city’s Governor Mikhail Razvoshayev.

Mr Razvoshayev said three sea drones had been destroyed. No damage has been reported so far.

(dpa/NAN)