Official statements from the Ukrainian government or military

Ukrainian Drones Strike Kazan, Russia, in Three Waves, Hitting Residential Buildings and Temporarily Closing Airport

Dec 21, 2024, 10:57 AM

Ukrainian drones launched a coordinated attack on the city of Kazan, Russia, targeting residential buildings and an industrial site. The strikes occurred in three waves between 7:40 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. local time, resulting in multiple explosions and significant damage to several high-rise buildings. Local authorities reported that six to eight drones were involved in the operation, with some successfully intercepted by Russian air defense systems. The attacks prompted the temporary closure of Kazan Airport, disrupting flight operations. The Russian Defense Ministry characterized the drone strikes as a significant escalation, occurring over 600 miles from the front line of the ongoing conflict. Russian officials suggested that the attacks were a form of retaliation related to the recent BRICS summit held in Kazan, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova labeling the incident as a vengeful act by Ukraine against Russia's successes.