Ukrainian drones launched a significant attack on the Russian city of Kazan, over 600 miles from the frontline, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Putin said if they did this with Western equipment, we’d be effectively declaring war…
At a glance:
- Drone attack: Eight drones hit Kazan, damaging residential buildings, industrial sites, and causing fires.
- Retaliation strikes: Russia launched 113 drones into Ukraine overnight, with 57 shot down by Ukrainian defenses.
- Broader impact: Air raids across Ukraine damaged critical infrastructure and injured civilians.
- Tensions escalate: Both sides intensify long-range strikes, drawing international attention to the conflict’s expanding reach.
In a historic strike on Saturday morning, Ukrainian drones targeted Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, in a region far removed from the ongoing frontlines. According to local authorities, six drones damaged residential buildings, one struck an industrial facility, and another was neutralized over a river. Fires broke out in three districts, prompting selective evacuations in some schools.
Tatarstan’s Governor, Rustam Minnikhanov, described the attack as “massive” and assured residents that all emergency services were deployed. Flights at Kazan’s airport were temporarily suspended, and mass gatherings were canceled for the weekend.
While Kyiv has not officially acknowledged the attack, a video verified by the Associated Press shows a drone striking the upper floors of a high-rise building in the city. Local authorities confirmed there were no casualties.
Russia Responds with Drone Barrage
In retaliation, Russia launched a wave of drone attacks on Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian officials reporting the deployment of 113 drones. The Ukrainian Air Force successfully intercepted 57 drones, while another 56 were electronically jammed. However, the strikes caused significant damage in various Ukrainian cities.
In Kharkiv, eight people were injured during attacks on the regional capital. Falling debris from drones in Zaporizhzhia damaged a nine-story residential building, leaving four people wounded. Governor Ivan Fedorov condemned the attacks as part of Russia’s continued terror campaign.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the damage to critical infrastructure, including an oncology center in Kherson. Writing on X, Zelenskyy stated:
“This is the Russian terror we are countering. I am grateful to our partners who continue to stand with Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia. Together, through our collective strength, we will secure a lasting peace.”
Broader Escalation
The latest drone exchanges underline the escalating intensity of the conflict. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted 19 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian territory. The Ministry also reported taking control of a village in Ukraine’s Donetsk province, signaling continued advances in eastern Ukraine.
Saturday’s strikes come on the heels of a Friday attack in Russia’s Kursk border region, reportedly involving U.S.-supplied missiles. That attack killed six people, including a child, further heightening tensions between the two nations and their international allies.
As the conflict spills further into civilian areas and distant territories, both Ukraine and Russia seem intent on showcasing their long-range capabilities, drawing renewed international scrutiny. With both sides sustaining heavy losses and inflicting civilian casualties, the war shows no signs of abating.
This war is going from bad to worse.
