Explosions were heard near the city of Novorossiysk (Krasnodar Krai, Russia) during the night of December 4. Air defense systems were active in the region, according to the Novorossiysk City Hall, local social media, and Russian media outlets, RBC-Ukraine reports.
A siren sounded in Novorossiysk at around 12:30 a.m. local time, warning of a potential aerial attack involving drones.
Later, the Mayor of Novorossiysk, Andrei Kravchenko, stated that the city's air defense systems were operational. He also mentioned that all services had been put on high alert.
The Deputy Mayor of Novorossiysk, Alexander Yamenskov, announced on his Telegram channel that filming and sharing footage of air defense operations, as well as the use of protective measures at attack sites and the activities of special and operational services, was prohibited on social media.
In Novorossiysk chat groups, reports mentioned a series of explosions heard both within the city and its outskirts.
Residents of Novorossiysk told the Telegram channel SHOT that two to five explosions were heard in the sky above the Black Sea waters.
In local Telegram channels, there was dissatisfaction with the fact that the air danger alert was issued only after the explosions were heard.
The Novorossiysk City Hall explained that the siren and alert were not given in advance because local authorities rely on operational military information.
"A decision is made when there is a real threat to residents. This is done to avoid unnecessary panic and to prevent the population from becoming desensitized to sirens, leading to a lack of response," said Yamenkov.
The City Hall also commented on the work of the air defense system, stating that an interception over the sea had reportedly occurred.
Explosions in Novorossiysk, as well as in other areas of Krasnodar Krai, Russia, are not a new occurrence.
