On the evening of May 21, 2025, the sky over Novomoskovsk in the Tula region was rocked by powerful explosions caused by the operation of air defense systems (AD) repelling an attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This was reported by the SHOT Telegram channel, citing the testimony of local residents who heard a series of loud bangs in different parts of the city around midnight. According to preliminary data, Russian air defense forces shot down several drones, preventing a threat to infrastructure and the population. The incident was part of the largest wave of attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in recent months, during which, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, 77 Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed over several regions in one evening. The event caused alarm among residents and highlighted the continuing vulnerability of border regions.

Residents of Novomoskovsk described the sounds as sharp pops that lasted for about 20 minutes. Some mistook them for fireworks until reports of air defenses were reported.

The attack on the Tula region is part of a series of strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Russian regions. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that from 20:00 to 23:50 on May 21, 77 drones were shot down, of which 41 were over the Bryansk region, 11 over the Oryol region, and 6 over the Tula region.