New Delhi: In a major escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, Kyiv on Saturday attacked Kazan with eight drones, hitting six residential buildings. The attack has brought the war’s repercussions closer to Russia’s heartland. The Kazan airport has temporarily suspended operations after the attack, according to the Russian aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia.
Restrictions have also been implemented at Izhevsk airport as a precautionary measure. According to reports, the drone attack targeted multiple residential areas in Kazan, a city located approximately 800 kilometre east of Moscow. According to the mayor’s office in Kazan fire broke out in multiple houses in Sovetsky, Kirovsky and Privolzhsky.
Mayor’s office confirms attack in Kazan
“This morning in Kazan, following an attack by unmanned aerial vehicles, fires broke out in several houses in the Sovetsky, Kirovsky, and Privolzhsky districts,” the statement reads on Telegram.
According to Russian news agency Sputnik, Russian air defences were able to down a drone over Kazan, others were able to penetrate. Videos on social media showed drones crashing into a high-rise buildings.
❗️RUSSIAN AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS DESTROYED A UKRAINIAN DRONE OVER RUSSIA’S CITY OF KAZAN – RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY
As a result of a drone attack, a fire broke out in houses in three districts, Sovetsky, Kirovsky and Privolzhsky, the mayor’s office said.
Operational services… pic.twitter.com/SztJHaoCCu
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) December 21, 2024
No casualties have been reported so far. After the attack, workers from nearby industrial facilities have also been evacuated to nearby shelters.
The drone attack came after Russia on Friday night attacked Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine. Russia reportedly launched a barrage of 60 drones and five ballistic missiles on Ukrainian cities overnight. The drones and missiles hit residential areas in Kyiv, these include a high-rise building and also the historic St Nicholas Church. One fatality was reported in the attack while multiple people suffered injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih was also attacked with a missile, injuring five people.
