Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On December 21, a drone attack struck Kazan, Tatarstan’s capital, targeting residential buildings and industrial sites, injuring three people, and causing fires. Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing the attack on December 22, warned Ukraine, stating, “They will regret it,” and promised severe retaliation. The strikes disrupted city operations, including airport closures, marking an escalation in drone warfare as tensions between the two nations intensified.
A Strong Reaction from the Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, December 22 issued a warning to Ukraine over a drone attack that the latter carried out against the capital of Tatarstan, Kazan, last Saturday, December 21. The attack hit an area that is popular in the production of Geran drones, which are reproductions of the Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones commonly used against Ukraine.
In a videoconference with the authorities of Tatarstan, Putin proclaimed, “They will regret it,” addressing the recent incident. The Russian leader pledged to inflict damage upon his adversaries that would be “significantly greater than what they are trying to inflict on us,” marking an unusual escalation in rhetoric during a period characterized by an intensifying drone warfare campaign.
Details of the Kazan Attack
At least eight long-range drones attacked Kazan in the early hours of December 21. According to local authorities, the strikes caused fires and injured at least three people. The BBC Russian service reported that residents were forced to take shelter in the city’s subway system, and operations at Kazan Airport were temporarily suspended.
Among the targeted sites were residential buildings and an industrial facility. Six drones, it was reported, struck homes, while another targeted an enterprise, resulting in widespread disruption and damage.
Unusual but Increasingly Common Incidents
While this type of attack has begun to occur relatively frequently, the scale of Saturday’s strikes marked an increase in this regard. Kazan has recently emerged as a prime location for Russian military production, particularly regarding its role as an important base for drone assembly.
The Kremlin provided no details on the countermeasures but hinted at retaliatory actions. Ukrainian authorities did not comment on the attack.
A Sign of Escalation?
This is coming at a time when there are rising tensions and where all parties are ratcheting up the practice of drone warfare. Such attacks and strikes are likely to increase, especially around strategic infrastructure such as vital resources and military production bases during winter.
Putin’s statements leave uncertainty about the Kremlin’s next steps in the ongoing conflict. As Russia warns of potential retaliation, observers will closely monitor the developments following this escalation.
Drone Warfare in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Since 2022, drones have become central in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia launched drone attacks starting in September 2022, targeting Ukraine’s military and infrastructure. Counterattacks by Ukraine resulted in Ukraine using older drones in strikes against Russian bases and facilities, including those located in Crimea.
Droned warfare had by then escalated into large-scale attacks on major cities and their infrastructure by 2023. Russia intensified attacks on civilian areas, while Ukraine carried out deeper strikes into Russian territory. Kamikaze drones, like Russia’s Shahed-136, have been pivotal in causing widespread damage.
This developing pattern with drones represents a new evolution in modern warfare as the two countries fine-tune their strategies to gain ground in the ongoing battle.
