RUSSIA has admitted blitzing a village deep within its own territory in a devastating blunder that left buildings destroyed around a smouldering crater.
Footage shows devastation in Petropavlovka, Voronezh region – 95 miles from the border with Ukraine – with at least six houses blasted and half a street left in ruins.
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A huge crater was seen in the ground along with scenes of burnt down cars and devastated houses.
Locals from the village, which has a population of 4,819, were evacuated and transported to temporary accommodation centres.
Officials denied any casualties but the plaintiff voice of a villager is heard on a video desperately pleading:
“Where is Vovka [Vladimir]? Alive or not? Damn, damn. Alive or not? ****ing hell.”
Ukrainian sources believe a powerful subsonic Kh-101/555 missile hit the village after a misfiring from an unspecified Russian warplane.
A Russian defence ministry spokesman admitted a missile intended to cause carnage in Ukraine had hit the Russian village in error.
The defence ministry issued a statement, saying: “On January 2, at about 9:00am, during a flight of an [air force] plane over the village of Petropavlovka in Voronezh region, an abnormal discharge of aircraft ammunition occurred.
“There were no casualties. Six private buildings were damaged.
“An investigation into the circumstances of the incident is underway.
“A commission is working on site to assess the nature of the damage and assist in the restoration of houses.”
A pro-war Russian media outlet – Readovka – initially blamed Ukraine for the devastation in Petropavlovka.
“The Kyiv regime was aiming at an ordinary peaceful village where people were relaxing on [the New Year] holidays,” reported the outlet.
The accident came as Russia was bombarding Ukraine with hundreds of missiles including a record number of hypersonic Kinzhal – Dagger – rockets.
It was one of the most savage attacks of the war.
Governor of the Russian Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev, said: “Today an emergency discharge of our ammunition was recorded in the Ostrogozh district.
“There were no casualties, but the damage was recorded, preliminarily, in seven households [in Petropavlovka village].
“In them, the glazing and roof, bearing structures, are damaged.
“The information is being clarified. An operative group is working on the spot.”
Another villager is heard saying: “Here are consequences of the [missile]…
“Three houses without anything at all left – ****
“Everything is messed up, to put it short. All the doors were knocked out.
“And a pipe exploded, here it is. Here is our pipe, all of it, lying [on the ground]. Here is where it hit.
“This is the situation, ****ed up. Windows, doors were knocked out…. Is there anyone wounded, guys?”
Russian war blogger Callsign Bruce said a “technical malfunction” meant the missile “fell in the Voronezh region, damaging houses”.
“It’s very cool that we recognise this at the official level and do not shift responsibility to anyone.
“Admitting any of your failures is worthy.
“It would be better, of course, if there was nothing to admit, but anything can happen.
“I am confident that the regional authorities are already providing all the necessary assistance to homeowners. And they definitely won’t leave them to their fate.”
The governor also promised to assess the damage that was caused.
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The residents are expected to receive financial compensation and new housing “as soon as possible.”
“I ask citizens to remain calm. I am keeping the operational situation in the region under control,” added the official.
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