“Frontline Region” Inside Russia—Leningrad Governor Calls Up Reservists as Drone Strikes Intensify

Authorities in Russia’s Leningrad region are expanding air defense measures and calling up reservists. Ukrainian drone strikes increasingly target key infrastructure, according to statements made by Russian regional governor Alexander Drozdenko on April 17.

In a video address, Drozdenko described the region as a “frontline area” and urged residents to “clench their teeth,” announcing plans to strengthen the protection of airspace against ongoing drone attacks.

“To form the crews of mobile fire groups, it is planned to involve reservists… We will offer three-year contracts through the regional military commissariat for the protection of Leningrad’s sky,” he said.

The decision followed a meeting of the regional operational headquarters, attended by federal officials, security agencies, and representatives of strategic infrastructure facilities.

According to the governor, additional mobile units will be created to reinforce existing forces, which already include around 80 such groups.

The new formations are expected to focus on defending critical infrastructure sites and supporting the 6th Guards Air Force and Air Defense Army, as well as other military units stationed in the region.

Regional authorities are now encouraging residents with prior combat experience—including veterans of the Soviet and Russian armed forces—to join the new defense units. According to Drozdenko, reservists will be formally employed by the enterprises they are assigned to protect.

“Contract service will be up to three years, with time spent in barracks conditions ranging from two to six months depending on the reservist’s decision,” he said.

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In addition, Drozdenko claimed that since the beginning of the year, air defense systems have intercepted 243 Ukrainian drones over the region.

The move comes after a series of Ukrainian strikes in late March targeting major Russian oil export hubs on the Baltic Sea, including the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga.

Both facilities temporarily halted operations following the attacks, with large fires reported at the sites that disrupted maritime oil shipments.

Previously, reports emerged that even Russian diesel-electric submarines were observed with newly installed anti-drone defenses at a naval base in Kronstadt near Saint Petersburg, Leningrad region, highlighting efforts to adapt naval assets to the growing threat posed by Ukrainian unmanned systems.

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