A woman was killed in a fire after a drone crashed into a shopping mall in Russia's republic of North Ossetia early Wednesday, local authorities said.
The blaze at the four-story Alania Mall in the regional capital of Vladikavkaz was sparked by falling debris from a drone hit by air defense systems, Russia's Defense Ministry said.
Another drone was downed early Wednesday in the town of Malgobek in the neighboring republic of Ingushetia without causing damage or injuries, regional leader Makhmoud-Ali Kalimatov said.
Telegram news channels claimed that the North Ossetia fire erupted before the shopping center opened on Wednesday and killed a cleaner.
Images broadcast on television showed a spiral of smoke atop the rainbow-colored building. Russia's Emergency Services Ministry said the blaze broke out on one of the upper floors.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
