Ukrainian drone strike hits Grozny tower as Kadyrov promises retaliation
A Ukrainian drone struck one of the towers in the Grozny City complex early Friday, damaging several floors and igniting a fire that was quickly brought under control. The attack, confirmed by Chechen leader Рамзан Кадыров, targeted the heart of Chechnya’s capital, only a short distance from his residence. While local authorities reported no casualties, the incident marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s cross-border drone campaign into Russian territory.
Kadyrov vows swift response
In a statement on Telegram, Kadyrov condemned the strike as “a futile attempt to frighten civilians” and pledged a strong countermeasure. He announced that “beginning tomorrow and throughout the week, the Ukrainian fascists will feel a serious response,” insisting Chechen forces would not attack civilian sites in return.
The building hit in the strike housed offices of the Chechen Security Council, the Tourism Ministry, the Audit Chamber, and other key government agencies. Its proximity around 830 meters from Kadyrov’s residence underscored the symbolic nature of the attack on Grozny’s most prominent landmark.
Part of a broader drone campaign
The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses intercepted 41 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions. Flights were temporarily suspended at Grozny Airport between 6:25 and 8:55 and again from 10:10 to 10:40 Moscow time, with similar measures seen in Владикавказ and Магас.
Friday’s strike follows a string of Ukrainian drone operations in Chechnya since late October 2024, which previously targeted military facilities, police barracks, and intelligence buildings. Kadyrov has repeatedly threatened retaliation, even suggesting controversial plans involving Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Opened in 2011, the Grozny City complex features seven modern skyscrapers including a 145-meter-high tower symbolizing Chechnya’s postwar reconstruction. Covering 4.5 hectares, it includes luxury apartments, hotels, restaurants, and government offices, making it a central emblem of Grozny’s modernization and recovery narrative.
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