A Ukrainian drone struck the Grozny City skyscraper in the Chechen capital Grozny on 5/12, Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of the Chechen Republic, confirmed. The strike caused no casualties but damaged a tower housing several businesses and government agencies, including the Chechen Security Council. Kadyrov's residence is located about 830 meters from the tower, with the branch headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in Chechnya also nearby.

Social media images depicted smoke emanating from the tower's side and damage to the exterior glass across at least five middle floors following the attack.

The Grozny City tower in Chechnya after the drone attack on 5/12. Photo: Reuters

Kadyrov condemned the strike, calling it "merely an attempt to intimidate civilians and exert pressure" and asserting it had "no tactical significance". Nevertheless, the Chechen leader vowed retaliation. "Starting tomorrow and throughout the week, Ukraine will face severe retaliation", he stated. "However, unlike them, we will not carry out cowardly attacks on civilian targets".

The Russian aviation agency Rosaviatsya closed Grozny airport for several hours on 5/12 due to security concerns following the incident.

Ukraine has not commented on the strike. Yet, the pro-Kiev Telegram channel Exilenova+ suggested the drone's intended target may have been the FSB headquarters in Chechnya, with Russian electronic warfare diverting its course.

Location of the Chechen Republic in Russia. Graphic: FT

Ukraine frequently targets Chechnya, a Russian autonomous region in the North Caucasus; however, its drones rarely reach the capital Grozny. Kadyrov remains a staunch supporter of President Vladimir Putin, having previously deployed thousands of Chechen special forces to fight in Ukraine.

Thanh Tam (According to TASS, AFP, Reuters)