On the night of October 31 to November 1, 2026, the Kstovo District of Nizhny Novgorod Region came under a massive attack by unmanned aerial vehicles. More than 100 drones were destroyed over the district's territory.[2] One of the district's industrial enterprises sustained significant damage, as did civilian municipal infrastructure facilities.[4] The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case under Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — "Terrorist act."[1]
Course of events
A drone-danger alert was introduced across Nizhny Novgorod Region at 1:00 a.m. on November 1, 2026. From 3:53 a.m., Nizhny Novgorod Chkalov International Airport stopped receiving and dispatching civilian aircraft; flights to Yerevan, Sochi, Yekaterinburg, and Sharm el-Sheikh were delayed. The airports of Kurumoch and Ulyanovsk (Baratayevka) were closed at the same time.[3] The drone-danger alert was lifted at 10:40 a.m., and the airport resumed operations at around 11:00 a.m.[3]
Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin confirmed the destruction of more than a hundred drones and significant damage to an industrial facility in the Kstovo District.[4] The official name of the enterprise was not disclosed; several publications mentioned a possible attack on an oil refinery, but this was not confirmed by official statements.[4] It was initially reported that there were no casualties, but it later emerged that one person had been injured: a woman who was in a car when debris fell sustained injuries, was taken to a hospital, and was sent home after receiving treatment.[3]
Consequences for infrastructure
As a result of the damage to utility infrastructure, part of Kstovsky District lost its electricity supply, and there were disruptions to heating and hot water. Nizhny Novgorod Mayor Yuri Shalabaev reported that power to the district's private homes was partially restored by 1:32 p.m. on November 1, and that electricity was fully restored by 7:00 p.m. that same day.[3] When the heating system was restarted, utility workers discovered a coolant leak; the company T Plus was responsible for repairing it.[4] The restoration of normal heating and hot water parameters continued through the night of November 2.[4]
On November 2, a day off was declared for schools and kindergartens in Kstovsky District because the buildings were still being warmed up.[4] Restrictions on gasoline sales were introduced in the region: no more than 40 liters per vehicle per fill-up, and an "even-odd" rule was in effect at filling stations.[4] The authorities urged drivers not to stockpile fuel, in order to avoid a rush on supplies.[3]
Criminal case
That same day, the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case under Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Act of Terrorism").[2] Svetlana Petrenko, head of the Media Relations Directorate of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, stated that investigators were determining the type and model of the unmanned aerial vehicles used, as well as identifying the specific individuals from Ukrainian armed formations involved in the attack.[1] At the same time, a large-scale effort was under way to document the evidence and study the technical characteristics of the downed vehicles.[2]
The leadership of Nizhny Novgorod Region expressed its gratitude to the forces of the Russian Ministry of Defense and to the regional defense detachment "Bars NN-NN" for their participation in repelling the attack.[3]
Links
- Official website (kommersant.ru)
Sources
- NNTV — Industrial Enterprise in Kstovsky District of Nizhny Novgorod Damaged by Drone Attack — Nizhny Novgorod State Regional Television and Radio Company NNTV
- NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" — Criminal Case on Terrorist Act Opened After UAV Attack on Nizhny Novgorod Region Nizhny Novgorod News
- nn.aif.ru — Unprecedented Ukrainian Armed Forces UAV Attack on Nizhny Novgorod Region: More Than 100 Ukrainian Drones Shot Down, Enterprise Heavily Damaged (Updating)
- life.ru — Kstovo After the November 2 UAV Attack: Schools, Heating, and Gasoline