On the morning of September 18, Rostov Region Governor Yuri Slyusar reported that air defense forces had shot down over 50 drones overnight across Rostov, Bataysk, Taganrog, and five districts of the region.

Around 4:00 a.m., Taganrog Mayor Svetlana Kambulova reported explosions without providing specific details. She urged residents "not to panic and to remain calm," and advised them to "stay away from windows and move indoors."

Additionally, Rostov official Alexander Skryabin reported air defense activity aimed at repelling the drone attack. A fire broke out in the city following the explosions.

Meanwhile, local residents took to social media to report the explosions and complain that no sirens had sounded. Videos showing air defense activity, the fire, plumes of smoke, and the aftermath of the strikes circulated widely online.

The monitoring Telegram channel Exilenova+ reported a fire in an industrial zone near the Taganrog port, as well as a strike on an airbase in Rostov. These reports have not been officially confirmed.

Overnight into Friday, Russia faced one of its largest-scale drone attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that 629 drones were shot down over 14 regions, occupied Crimea, and the waters of two seas. According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, more than 350 of these were heading toward the capital.