Siberia’s Kemerovo Region Restricts Truck Movement Amid Drone Attack Concerns

July 8, 2026 Vasily Kuzmichenok / Moskva News Agency Authorities in Siberia’s Kemerovo region placed entry restrictions on trucks on Wednesday due to security concerns, following Ukrainian drone strikes that reportedly halted operations at Russia’s largest oil refinery this week. Citing the threat of “potential drone attacks,” Kemerovo region Governor Ilya Seredyuk announced that only trucks carrying documentation from local companies are now allowed to enter the regional capital. Traffic police and National Guard troops are enforcing the ban, the governor said, and they will also be accompanied by veterans of Russia’s war against Ukraine. “Our heroes are proving once again that their experience and skills can honorably serve the fatherland here in civilian life as well,” Seredyuk wrote in a post on Telegram. He published a video showing traffic police officers accompanied by men in military fatigues stopping semi-trucks on a highway and inspecting the documents of drivers. Kemerovo lies more than 3,000 kilometers (over 1,800 miles) from Russia’s border with Ukraine and 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of the Omsk region, where the country’s largest oil refinery was damaged in a drone attack on Monday. On Tuesday, the Kemerovo region reportedly began setting up bomb shelters in the event of a Ukrainian air attack. Seredyuk said he had contacted authorities in the Omsk region and tasked his administration with “making maximum use of the experience of our neighbors” in repelling potential drone attacks. Last summer, Ukraine carried out a covert campaign known as “Operation Spider’s Web” in which drones were launched from civilian trucks in five Russian regions, including Siberia’s Irkutsk region and Far East Russia’s Amur region, and attacked Russian military airfields. Read more about: Kemerovo , Regions , Drones Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Krasnodar Brings Back Analog Air Raid Sirens Amid Worsening Internet Disruptions Krasnodar is among dozens of regions across Russia that have faced increasingly frequent and prolonged internet outages in recent weeks. 1 Min read Ukraine Hits One of Russia’s Largest Oil Refining Complexes The complex lies around 1,400 kilometers from the front line in Ukraine in Russia's republic of Bashkortostan. 1 Min read Russian Defense Ministry Publishes Rare Footage of Tatarstan Drone Factory Employing Teens A factory banner reads: “Kurchatov, Korolyov and Stalin live in your DNA.” 2 Min read Mass Blackout Hits Siberia’s Coal-Producing Kemerovo Region At least seven coal mines experienced ventilation failures, forcing workers to evacuate to the surface, emergency authorities said. 1 Min read