Ukrainian drones pierce Kazanians' calm amidst Russian defense gaps
- Vladimir Putin was informed about the drone attack on Kazan. He remains in constant contact with the military, said the dictator's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov. Ukrainian drones struck several buildings. Frightened Russians published many recordings of the moment of the attack. They did not hear the military attempting to shoot down the incoming drones.
"The airport in Kazan, located in Russia, suspended all arrivals and departures after the Ukrainian drone attack on the city," reported Rosaviatsiya, the Russian aviation regulatory authority, as cited by Reuters on Saturday. Temporary restrictions also affected the airport in Izhevsk.
The announcement was published just after the web was flooded with recordings documenting the Ukrainian drone attack on the city. No active air defense systems were heard. Drones, without any obstacles, flew over the city and hit designated targets.
Putin informed about the attack
According to Russian state news agencies, a drone attack targeted a residential complex in Kazan, located about 500 miles east of Moscow. The TASS agency reported that there were eight drone strikes, six of which affected residential buildings, as reported by Reuters.
Videos on Telegram showed an aerial object hitting a high-rise building, causing a fire.
Is Russia lacking air defense systems?
"Russia is already running out of air defense and anti-missile systems to protect facilities and cities. A significant portion has been lost. Key systems are concentrated in Moscow, near Putin's residence, and also in St. Petersburg. Other regions are insignificant to Putin—he despises them," wrote Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, a few hours after the attack.
On Friday, after 10 AM Eastern Time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in an interview with the TASS agency that Vladimir Putin was informed of the drone attack on the city.
- Putin is in contact with the military, Peskov conveyed.
Authorities reported that no one was killed in the drone attack on Kazan.
