Explosives-laden UAVs hit high-rises in Kazan, setting fire to the buildings, according to local authorities
Up to three kamikaze drones have struck a number of residential high-rises in the Russian city of Kazan, local officials reported on Saturday morning. Several news outlets have published what appear to be video clips shot by eyewitnesses, which depict the moment of the attack and its aftermath.
Earlier on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry said on its own Telegram channel that its air defenses had shot down one “Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle over the Republic of Tatarstan,” of which Kazan is the capital. The statement was later cited by the city administration.
In a separate message later in the day, military officials reported that the “Kiev regime” had deployed three waves of fixed-wing drones, targeting Kazan’s civilian infrastructure. According to the ministry, Russian air defenses shot down three of the incoming UAVs, and that three more were downed with the help of electronic warfare systems.
Since the start of Russia’s special military operation in February 2022, Kiev’s drones have on multiple occasions been intercepted over Moscow and various regions of the country. Only some of these UAVs have reached their targets.
Most such cases have happened in relative proximity to the border between the two countries. Kazan, however, is situated some 1,379 kilometers (857 miles) away from Ukraine.
Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya) announced that it had imposed temporary restrictions at Kazan airport.
Local authorities reported that the Saturday morning attack resulted in no casualties. Soon after the drones struck the apartment buildings, the residents were safely evacuated. Minnikhanov’s press office has stated that accommodation for the evacuees has already been arranged.
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According to regional authorities, a total of eight UAVs exploded over Kazan, with six of those impacting residential areas. In light of the attack, some schools have been evacuated as well, with students taking cover in basements.
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