Ukraine Launches Drone Assault on Kazan; Zelenskyy Confirms CIA meeting
A daring Ukrainian drone attack on the russian city of Kazan, located over 620 miles from the front lines, sent shockwaves across the region on saturday.The assault resulted in damage to residential buildings, including a high-rise apartment block and a skyscraper, and temporarily shut down Kazan International Airport. While local officials reported no casualties, videos circulating on Russian social media depicted drones striking buildings and igniting fireballs. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that two drones hit a 37-story apartment building, claiming Ukraine targeted an unspecified industrial facility, which remained undamaged.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while not directly referencing the Kazan attack, declared, “We will definitely continue to strike at Russian military targets with drones and missiles.” The incident prompted the evacuation of some kazan residents, though exact figures remain undisclosed by Russian authorities. Major public events were canceled as a precaution following the drone strikes. Russian air defense systems reportedly shot down three drones and suppressed three others, according to the Foreign Ministry. The attack on Kazan, situated approximately 500 miles east of Moscow, followed Russian strikes on Kyiv that killed one and wounded 13, and a separate ukrainian attack on the Kursk border region that resulted in five deaths.
In a significant development,Zelenskyy publicly confirmed a meeting with CIA Director William Burns in Ukraine. This rare disclosure revealed a series of undisclosed meetings between the two throughout the war. Zelenskyy stated on Telegram, “Bill Burns paid his last visit to Ukraine as CIA director,” alongside a photo of their handshake. He added, “He and I have had many meetings during this war, and I am grateful for his help. Usually, such meetings are not publicly reported, and all our meetings – in Ukraine, in other european countries, in america, and in other parts of the world – were held without official details.” Burns is expected to depart his post with the incoming management.
Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry announced the capture of Kostiantynopolske, a village near the strategically important city of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine.This follows recent significant russian advances in the region. Kostiantynopolske lies approximately 6 miles southwest of Kurakhove, a key industrial center that is a prime target for Russian forces.
The Russian embassy in London denounced the UK’s plan to provide Ukraine with over $2.5 billion in aid, backed by frozen Russian assets, calling it a “fraudulent scheme.” The UK announced in October its intention to lend Ukraine this sum as part of a larger G7 loan, utilizing frozen Russian central bank assets. UK Defense Minister John Healey clarified that the funds are exclusively for Ukraine’s military,potentially supporting the development of drones with extended range capabilities.
The escalating conflict continues to raise concerns about regional stability and the potential for further escalation. The events of Saturday underscore the ongoing tensions and the evolving tactics employed by both sides in the conflict.
