Russia's Kazan airport suspends flights amid drone attack fears

Kazan Gabdulla Tukai International Airport has temporarily halted all flight operations, both arrivals and departures, according to Artem Korenyako, spokesman for the Federal Air Transport Agency.

The move comes as part of heightened security measures to ensure the safety of civil aviation, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

In addition to Kazan, Izhevsk airport has also imposed temporary restrictions, halting both incoming and outgoing flights. Korenyako assured that air crews, air traffic controllers, and airport staff are actively working to ensure all necessary security protocols are in place. The disruptions are believed to be linked to recent Ukrainian drone attacks on residential areas in Kazan.

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that a Ukrainian drone attack was intercepted and thwarted over Tatarstan around 07:50 AM. The UAV was shot down by air defense systems deployed in the region.

Drone strikes in Kazan reportedly caused fires in several districts, including Soviet, Privolzhsky, and Kirovsky. One of the affected buildings is the high-rise residential complex "Azure Skies" in the city centre.

Tatarstan officials, including Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov and Kazan Executive Committee head Rustem Gafarov, are currently on-site coordinating emergency response efforts. Temporary housing and meals have been arranged for displaced residents, should they need to be evacuated.

Authorities have urged calm among the city’s residents, advising them to remain in lower floors or basements of buildings for safety. There are reports that the Ukrainian armed forces may have used "Lyuty" drones, based on the PD-2 UAV model, which have a range of up to 1,000 kilometres and can carry warheads weighing up to 50 kilograms. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on these claims.

By Tamilla Hasanova