Drones Targeting Chechnya and North Caucasus Regions in Russia – Watch Video
On the morning of December 25th, multiple Russian regions north of the Caucasus Mountains experienced drone attacks and explosions, about 800-850 kilometers from Ukraine’s frontline. These attacks also caused damage in Russia’s Tambov Oblast, located south of Moscow and approximately 300 km northeast of Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast.
Ukraine has significantly increased its long-range drone attacks on military and fuel facilities within Russia this year, disrupting essential fuel and ammunition supplies crucial for the Russian military. The attacks have targeted bomb warehouses at airbases, ammunition depots, and fuel processing and storage facilities deep inside Russia. In contrast, Russia has continued its nightly drone, missile, and bomb attacks on Ukraine, intensifying the strikes in recent months.
### Drone Attack on Chechnya
The most recent attack on Grozny marks the fifth drone strike on Chechnya since October. Previous attacks targeted barracks of forces under the Russian-installed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
The local Chechen Telegram channel Niyso, which opposes the Russian-installed Kadyrov regime, reported multiple drone strikes on the capital Grozny and other areas starting around 7:20 Kyiv time. The channel reported 4-5 explosions near the 2nd Regiment facility in Grozny, with blasts heard in surrounding areas.
According to the Niyso Telegram channel, drone activity continued throughout the day, with drones spotted in the Shali district and the village of Goity. The channel noted that Russian forces had recently installed several Pantsir-S1 air defense systems in Chechnya, particularly in Grozny’s Karpinka district.
### Chechen Security Council Secretary’s Confirmation
Chechen Security Council Secretary Khamzat Kadyrov inadvertently confirmed the attacks through an Instagram post, denying any damage from the attacks. He stated, “Information about drones hitting any object is untrue – everything was shot down!”
One of the drones reportedly crashed in Ingushetia, adjacent to Chechnya from the east. Additionally, a downed drone crashed into a shopping mall in Vladikavkaz in Russia’s North Ossetia.
### Ingushetia Incident
Ingushetia, located west of Chechnya, experienced a fixed-wing UAV crash and explosion near Malgobek. Local residents reported the incident around 8:30, which was later confirmed by the head of Ingushetia, stating that law enforcement and emergency services were investigating the crash.
### North Ossetia Explosion
North Ossetia, east of Ingushetia and Chechnya, experienced an explosion and fire at a shopping mall in Vladikavkaz. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that a fixed-wing drone was shot down by air defense systems, causing the explosion and fire.
### Tambov Oblast
Drones also targeted an oil industry facility in Russia’s Tambov Oblast, causing a fire at the heating facility. Local authorities confirmed the fire was extinguished promptly.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalates through drone attacks, the impact on civilian areas and infrastructure continues to grow. The use of drones in modern warfare raises questions about the safety of civilians and the effectiveness of air defenses in defending against these unmanned aerial vehicles. The human cost of these attacks cannot be ignored, as innocent bystanders are caught in the crossfire of this escalating conflict. The need for diplomatic solutions and international intervention to prevent further casualties and destruction is more crucial than ever.
