Chechen University struck by drone; key special forces hub targeted
The leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, reported that a drone hit the Putin Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya. Although "only the roof of an empty building ignited," it's noteworthy that the facility is located as far as 528 miles from the front line. Two explosions were reportedly heard on the campus.
3:21 PM EDT, October 29, 2024
The Russian Special Forces University was launched in 2013 by Ramzan Kadyrov, and in February 2024, it was named after Vladimir Putin. The facility is primarily intended for special forces training, to deploy them in military operations in Ukraine. The university in Gudermes is also equipped for the production of FPV drones.
University in Chechnya hit. Training "special forces" there
The Defense Express portal notes that the university located in Chechnya is essentially Kadyrov's brainchild, making "an attack on it more significant than an attack on another Russian army training facility."
Official Ukrainian sources have not confirmed responsibility for the attack on the facility. However, it is worth noting that even considering a distance of 528 miles from the front line, a strike by the Ukrainians is indeed possible.
Ukrainian long-range drones
The current arsenal of the Ukrainian armed forces includes a range of solutions capable of striking very remote targets within the territory of the Russian Federation. Notably, "Bóbr" drones, whose full specifications remain secret, have a reported range of about 621 miles. The Bobry, with wings spanning 11 feet and a takeoff weight of several dozen kilograms, can reach a maximum speed of 124 mph.
It is also worth mentioning the Sokół-300 drone, which has been in development since 2022 and was recently unveiled. This advanced UAV can reach targets as far as 2,051 miles from its launch site. The Sokół-300 is capable of carrying an explosive payload weighing 661 pounds, and its wings have a span of about 46 feet.
Besides these, Ukraine also possesses UJ-22 Airborne and Rubaka drones. The UJ-22 Airborne has a range of about 497 miles, while the Rubaka can reach a distance of about 311 miles.
