Woman killed in fire after drone strikes shopping mall in Russia

Blaze at Alania Mall in Vladikavkaz caused by drone debris hit by Russia's air defense system

A woman was killed in a fire early Wednesday when debris from a Ukrainian drone struck a shopping mall in Russia's North Ossetia region, local authorities confirmed. The blaze, which broke out at the four-storey Alania Mall in Vladikavkaz, was triggered by debris from a drone hit by Russia's air defense system, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

Regional governor Sergei Menyailo stated on his official Telegram account that the drone was shot down at 0828 Moscow time (0528 GMT), causing an explosion and subsequent fire inside the mall. "One woman was reported to have been killed inside the shopping center," he wrote. However, Reuters could not independently verify the governor’s claim, and there was no immediate response from Ukraine.

The fire reportedly erupted before the mall opened for business, with initial reports suggesting a cleaner was the victim. Russia's emergency services said the blaze was contained to one of the upper floors, and television footage showed smoke rising from the building. Meanwhile, Russia's Defence Ministry announced that 119 Ukrainian drones had been destroyed in the past 24 hours.

Another drone fell in the town of Malgobek in the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia, though no injuries or damage were reported, according to regional leader Makhmoud-Ali Kalimatov.