Eight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) attacked the Russian city of Kazan on Saturday. The attack targeted buildings on Kamaleev Avenue, Klara Zetkin Street, Yukozinskaya Street, Hadi Taktash Street, Krasnaya Pozisiya Street, and Orenburgsky Trakt Street, according to an APA report.
As per the APA report, the attack was allegedly carried out by Ukraine. However, there has been no official confirmation
Initial reports suggested that there had been no casualties, which was later confirmed by the Republic's head, Rustam Minnikhanov. However, the attack sparked a fire and caused damage to the buildings. Minnikhanov also stated that all workers at industrial enterprises were evacuated and relocated to temporary shelters following the incident.
According to an Associated Press (AP) report, six hit residential buildings, one hit an industrial facility and one was shot down over a river.
The Kazan airport has been temporarily closed for arrivals and departures. Some schools were evacuated as well.
According to a Reuters report, Russia's aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said that it was introducing temporary restrictions at two other airports, in Izhevsk, a smaller city northeast of Kazan, and in Saratov, which is about 650 km south of Kazan.
As per the report, these restrictions at Saratov were later lifted.
The fifth largest city of Russia, Kazan, is the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, a federal subject of the Russian Federation. The city is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka rivers. It is one of the oldest cities in Russia, with a rich history dating back to 1,000 years. Kazan is known for its cultural diversity, as it is a centre for both Russian and Tartar cultures.