In a significant escalation of long-range strikes, Ukrainian forces have targeted a high-rise building in central Grozny, Chechnya, in an attack believed to be aimed at a clandestine Russian spy headquarters. The assault came on the same night a Russian drone attack destroyed a house in central Ukraine, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring two women.
Shadowy Drone War Intensifies
The attack in the Chechen capital on Friday focused on the 28-storey Business Center Grozny-City tower, causing a major explosion that tore apart several floors. Videos shared on Telegram news channels showed extensive damage with shattered windows and charred sections across multiple levels of the skyscraper.
While the building itself is residential, its proximity to key security sites suggests it was a target of strategic value. The tower sits adjacent to the headquarters of the Chechen branch of the FSB, Russia's main security service, which analysts suggest may have been the intended objective. The residence of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is also located approximately 2,700 feet away in central Grozny.
In response to the aerial threat, civil aviation authorities imposed temporary flight restrictions over airports in Grozny and several neighbouring cities. This strike marks the latest in an increasing wave of Ukrainian attacks within Chechnya, whose forces have been staunch supporters of Russia's full-scale invasion. Ukrainian drones also reportedly hit targets in the Chechen town of Gudermes, including a site used by the Akhmat Regiment, a unit of the Russian National Guard commanded by Kadyrov.
Civilian Toll and Diplomatic Manoeuvres
Meanwhile, in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, the human cost of the conflict was starkly highlighted. Regional military administration head Vladyslav Haivanenko confirmed that a Russian drone attack on Thursday night levelled a house, resulting in the death of a young boy and injuries to two women. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 137 drones of various types across the country during the night.
Amid the violence, diplomatic efforts appeared fraught. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used a video address to accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of inventing pretexts to prolong the war and pressure Ukraine. "Officials wanted to know 'what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine,'" Zelensky stated.
These accusations came as Putin was conducting a state visit to India, seeking to strengthen ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit, which included warm welcomes and talks of a strengthened bond, is seen as potentially straining India's relations with the US and European Union. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, accompanying Putin, criticised European leaders for putting forward demands "unacceptable to Moscow" regarding peace talks.
Stalled Peace Efforts and Frontline Reality
The nearly four-year war shows little sign of abating, with previous diplomatic initiatives failing to break the deadlock. Zelensky revealed that a Ukrainian delegation in Miami was seeking information from the US side about recent talks held at the Kremlin between Putin and American envoys. A meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and former President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner was scheduled but not officially confirmed.
The twin attacks underscore the war's expanding geography and the grim, reciprocal nature of the drone conflict. While Ukraine demonstrates an ability to strike deep inside Russian territory, including at a port in the Krasnodar region and an oil refinery, Russian forces continue to inflict a heavy civilian toll. The incident in Grozny will likely cause embarrassment for the Kremlin, highlighting vulnerabilities far from the conventional frontline as Putin engages in high-profile diplomacy abroad.
