The Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a drone attack carried out by Ukrainian forces on the city of Kazan, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict. According to Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the attack, which occurred early on December 21, involved multiple drones targeting civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings in Kazan, the capital of the Tatarstan region.
The strike, described by the Ministry as a “terrorist act,” utilized eight fixed-wing drones, three of which were intercepted by Russian air defenses, while another three were disabled by electronic warfare systems. The remaining two drones struck the Lazurnye Nebesa (Azure Skies) residential apartment complex, damaging the 37-story building. Two additional residential buildings were also impacted, with one sustaining a fire that has since been contained. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, preliminary reports indicate that there have been no fatalities.
Despite the scale of the attack, Kazan’s local authorities are providing residents with necessary support, and it has been confirmed that an industrial facility targeted by the drones did not sustain any significant damage.
Zakharova denounced the attack as an expression of “impotent anger” from Kyiv in response to the Ukrainian military’s ongoing defeats. She suggested that the strike was also a form of retaliation for the successful BRICS summit held in October 2024, which underscored the growing influence of the emerging economic bloc and demonstrated the shifting dynamics of global power.
Zakharova also highlighted the behavior of Ukrainian media outlets, accusing them of celebrating the attack on Kazan with “sadistic pleasure” and using “lewd” language. She linked this to what she characterized as the “inhuman essence” of the Ukrainian regime under President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A Call for Global Condemnation
The Foreign Ministry expressed outrage at the silence of the international community, particularly the Western nations and their media outlets, which have been quick to react to extremist incidents elsewhere but have remained conspicuously silent on this terrorist attack. Zakharova emphasized that the West’s failure to denounce such acts of terrorism against Russian civilians reflects a double standard in global responses to violence.
“The hypocrisy of the ‘collective West’ is palpable,” Zakharova remarked. “They are quick to react to any act of extremism, but when it comes to terrorist attacks against Russia, they turn a blind eye. This selective outrage undermines the principles of justice and accountability in international relations.”
In her statement, Zakharova once again called on the global community to take a firm stance against what she termed the “criminal acts” of the Ukrainian government, led by Zelensky. She asserted that there can be “no justification for terrorism” and that such acts must be unequivocally condemned by all nations, with zero tolerance for violence of this nature.
The Continuing Conflict
The drone attack on Kazan is the latest in a series of escalatory actions that have marked the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As the war continues to evolve, both sides have accused each other of committing war crimes and targeting civilian populations, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In the wake of the Kazan attack, local officials have pledged to strengthen security measures to protect civilians and infrastructure from further drone strikes. The Russian government has vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its citizens, while continuing to hold Ukraine accountable for what it considers acts of terrorism.
As the international community watches closely, many are calling for a renewed focus on diplomatic solutions to the conflict. However, with tensions running high, the likelihood of an immediate de-escalation remains uncertain.