Far from the border
Ukraine attacks Russian Tatarstan with drones
23.05.2024, 18:05
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Ukraine is once again attacking targets in the Russian republic of Tatarstan with long-range drones. Airports in the region are ceasing operations due to the air raid warning. Nothing is known about possible damage.
Due to drone attacks from Ukraine, the Russian airports in Kazan and Nizhnekamsk in the Republic of Tatarstan had to temporarily cease operations. Media reported an explosion and the shooting down of a Ukrainian Aeroprakt A-22 light aircraft, which had been converted into an unmanned aerial vehicle. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow only reported the shooting down of an unspecified drone. After an interruption, the airports resumed operations.
The Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement to the Kyiv Independent portal. The target was Russian military facilities. An intelligence source told the portal that the drones had reached Kazan and Nizhnekamsk, but gave no further information about possible damage.
Russian Telegram channels shared videos showing a drone and smoke rising over Nizhnekamsk. The mayor of the city of Yelabuga, Rustem Nuriev, said the drone was shot down in the Yelabuga district. Yelabuga is located about 1,200 kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border.
Tatarstan had previously been the target of drone attacks from Ukraine. The airport in Kazan had also temporarily suspended operations. According to local media reports, several companies in Tatarstan ordered an evacuation in view of the danger.
The air raid alarm shook Tatarstan, which will host the BRICS summit in its capital Kazan in five months from October 22 to 24. Russia is hosting the annual meeting of the emerging economic nations this year. The acronym BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. However, other countries now belong to the loose association.