A multi-story building in the Chechen capital Grozny was hit by a Ukrainian drone, the leader of the Russian Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, announced on Friday. According to him, damage was caused during the attack, but he did not claim civilian casualties. TASR informs about it according to the Reuters and APF agencies.
Russian media previously reported that the affected office building housed government offices. They specifically mentioned the Chechen Security Council. The building is only 800 meters from Kadyrov’s residence and is adjacent to the local branch of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
Fire and damage
According to state media and footage posted on social media, a fire broke out in the building after the drone strike and its glass facade was broken on at least five floors.
Grozny Airport was closed for several hours on Friday night due to the risk of drone attacks, the Russian Civil Aviation Authority said.
The context of the Chechen conflict
Ukraine often attacks Chechnya, but its drones rarely reach urban areas and especially the center of the capital there.
The predominantly Muslim region has been ruled by Ramzan Kadyrov, a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine, where he sent thousands of Chechen soldiers to fight, since 2007, AFP added.
