Ukraine escalated its recent cross-border offensive against Russia with a “massive” drone attack on Friday.

Igor Artamonov, governor of the Lipetsk region, said it had “been subjected to a massive UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attack”, adding that at least six people were injured and the power facility was damaged.

There were also reports of emergency services called to a fire at a military airfield, though no official cause was suggested by Russian state media.

In a message on Telegram, Mr Artamonov urged residents to evacuate from four areas on the outskirts of Lipetsk city “to eliminate the consequences of the detonation of explosive objects”.

He added: “Temporary accommodation points and transport are being prepared.”

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces shot down 75 Ukrainian drones overnight from Thursday to Friday, including 26 in the Belgorod region which borders Ukraine, 19 over Lipetsk, seven over Kursk, and 13 over the annexed Crimean peninsula and surrounding Black Sea.