Falling debris from a Ukrainian drone that was shot down caused an explosion and a fatal fire in a shopping centre in the city of Vladikavkaz in Russia's North Ossetia region, the local governor said on Wednesday.

Firefighters put out flames after falling debris from a downed Ukraine drone sparked a fire in a shopping mall in the city of Vladikavkaz in Russia's North Ossetia, according to authorities.

Russian forces launched 31 drones of various types at Ukraine. Most of them were shot down by air defense, reports the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "On the night of December 26, the enemy attacked with 31 strike UAVs of the Shahed type and other drones from the directions of Oryol and Millerovo,

Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted over 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. "Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation," he wrote. “It is never a spontaneous decision.