Ilsur Metshin, the mayor of Kazan, has confirmed that residents in the city were affected by recent drone attacks on some properties, although he did not provide specific figures. The statement was made following a series of incidents in which drones targeted the city, as reported by Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of Tatarstan, on the messaging platform Telegram.
Minnikhanov expressed his concern over the situation, stating, “Today, Kazan suffered a massive drone attack.” He noted a shift in the nature of the attacks, pointing out that while industrial enterprises had been targeted previously, the recent attacks were directed towards civilians in the morning hours.
The Russian defence ministry disclosed that Kazan experienced three waves of drone attacks between 7:40 and 9:20 am. The ministry reported that six drones were successfully intercepted and shot down during the incidents. Subsequent information from Minnikhanov’s press service indicated that at least eight drones were involved in the coordinated attack on the city.
Kazan, a city rich in oil resources and home to a population of 1.3 million, is located approximately 440 miles east of Moscow. Despite its inland position within Russia, Kazan has faced security threats in the past. In April, Ukrainian drones targeted an oil facility and a drone factory in Nizhnekamsk and Yelabuga, two towns in Tatarstan situated more than 100 miles to the east of Kazan.
The recent incidents underscore the vulnerability of the region to such attacks, raising concerns about the safety and security of residents. The city’s significance was further highlighted earlier this year when Russian President Vladimir Putin chose Kazan as the venue for hosting a summit of BRICs leaders.
The repeated targeting of Kazan and other towns in the region underscores the need for enhanced security measures to protect critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of the population. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of security threats faced by cities and communities worldwide.
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