Ukrainian drones struck residential buildings in Kazan, a city in central Russia located about 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, early Saturday morning, according to local authorities. The attack caused damage to buildings and triggered evacuations, though no casualties have been reported.
The Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure in the city, claiming six drones were intercepted or destroyed, without confirming the total number involved.
Rustam Minnikhanov, leader of the Tatarstan republic where Kazan is situated, stated on Telegram that civilians were targeted directly in their homes during the morning hours. Authorities reported fires in several districts, with emergency services deployed to the scene. The exact number of evacuated residents remains unclear.
In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed increased retaliatory actions, warning of greater destruction in Ukraine. Separately, Russian forces reported capturing villages in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, escalating tensions further in the conflict.