(ROSTOV-ON-DON, ROSTOV OBLAST) – A major fire has engulfed warehouse facilities belonging to DNS Retail, one of Russia’s largest electronics retailers, following a mass drone attack on the Rostov region overnight Friday into Saturday.
DNS Retail, headquartered in Vladivostok, operates more than 2,000 stores across Russia and ranks among the country’s largest private companies. The firm specialises in computers, electronics and household goods, and also manufactures computer hardware including laptops, tablets and smartphones. In 2020, the company reported revenue of 427.6 billion roubles (£3.4 billion / $4.3 billion) and employed 38,455 people.
Local governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed the attack and reported fires caused by falling debris in the Aksai district. Monitoring channels and media outlets reported direct hits and a large blaze at the DNS warehouse complex in Rostov-on-Don.
Footage circulated on social media shows thick black smoke rising over the city as residents described multiple explosions. “I heard the first explosion. I started listening. I could hear something flying. Then right before my eyes, bang, sparks, fire in all directions,” one resident said in a video posted online.
Another witness reported that drones passed directly overhead. “A drone flew right over my head. Then a second one came. I ran into the bathroom in fear. A third one is flying now. My heart is pounding,” she said.
Residents complained that emergency services were slow to respond. “Ambulances and fire engines arrived 40 minutes after it hit. Very prompt,” one local man said sarcastically.
Local reports indicate that a residential building on the 17th floor was also affected, with windows shattered at a nearby bus stop. Debris was scattered across streets, and at least one vehicle sustained a punctured tyre.
The attack is part of an intensifying Ukrainian campaign of long range drone strikes against military and logistics targets inside Russia.
Footage of the strike was released by local residents and circulated on Ukrainian media channels.
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