The explosion and fire in the shopping center “Alania Mall” in Russian Vladikavkaz was caused by the neutralization of a drone – the authorities

The explosion and fire with human casualties in the shopping center “Alania Mall” in the capital of the Russian region of North Ossetia, the city of Vladikavkaz, was caused by the neutralization of an unmanned aerial vehicle, the head of the region Serhiy Minyailo said.

“The aircraft-type drone was shot down by anti-aircraft defense today at 8:28 a.m. (this is 7:28 a.m. Kyiv time – ed.). The version is confirmed by the previous results of investigative and operative measures. The surveillance cameras of the shopping center show that the explosion took place from outside. Explosives technicians are looking for fragments of an unmanned aerial vehicle,” the official wrote in a telegram.

As a result of the explosion and subsequent fire in the shopping center “Alania Mall” in Vladikavkaz on the morning of December 25, one person died and several others were injured. The Ministry of Defense of Russia did not inform about the downing of drones over North Ossetia.