Russia imposes airport restrictions due to UAV threat in Tatarstan, explosions heard in Kazan

The Russian state agency TASS and representatives of Rosaviatsiya reported the information.

TASS, citing Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations, announced around 5 a.m. Kyiv time on Monday, January 20, that a drone attack threat had been declared in Tatarstan.

However, residents of Kazan reported hearing explosions on social media as early as 4 a.m. Kyiv time. Later, local channels claimed that drones attacked the Kazan Gorbunov Aviation Plant. The consequences of the attack remain unknown.

There has been no official confirmation regarding an attack on this specific plant. However, around 7 a.m. Kyiv time, the press service of Tatarstan's governor stated: "This morning, there was an attempted enemy drone attack on industrial facilities in the republic. A comprehensive set of protective measures was taken. As a result, all UAVs were neutralized. There are no casualties or damage. Emergency services remain on-site, addressing the aftermath."

Note: The Kazan Gorbunov Aviation Plant, a branch of PJSC "Tupolev," is one of Russia's largest aviation industry enterprises, founded in 1932 in Kazan. It produces Tu-160 strategic bombers as well as Tu-204 civilian airliners. The plant is located in the eastern part of Kazan's Aviastroitelny District and includes the Borisoglebskoye factory airfield, also within the city limits.

In December 2023, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the plant was sanctioned by the European Union for "manufacturing and repairing Tu-160 strategic missile carriers and Tu-22M3M/Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, which the Russian Air Force uses in its war of aggression against Ukraine."

Airport operation restrictions: Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, Izhevsk

Restrictions on the operation of Kazan Airport were reported by Rosaviatsiya at 4:50 a.m. Kyiv time.

"To ensure the safety of civilian aircraft flights, temporary restrictions have been imposed on Kazan Airport. The air hub is temporarily not receiving or dispatching flights. Aircraft crews, air traffic controllers, and airport services are taking all necessary measures to guarantee flight safety — this is a priority," a representative of the agency stated.

An hour later, temporary restrictions were also announced at Nizhnekamsk Airport in Tatarstan. By 6:45 a.m. Kyiv time, restrictions were introduced at Izhevsk Airport, the capital of Udmurtia.

Explosions in Kazan

The governor of Kaluga, Vladislav Shapsha, reported a drone attack.

Initially, he stated that air defense forces had destroyed two UAVs overnight — "one on the outskirts of Kaluga and one in the Peremyshlsky district."

Later, he clarified that "in addition to the two UAVs previously reported," air defense forces allegedly destroyed four more drones in Kaluga and the Babyninsky district.

"On the outskirts of Kaluga, drone debris fell on the premises of an enterprise. A minor fire that broke out was quickly extinguished by emergency services. According to preliminary data, there are no casualties or damage," Shapsha added.

• At 6:20 a.m. Kyiv time, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported on the performance of its air defense systems. According to their statement, air defense forces allegedly intercepted and destroyed "31 Ukrainian UAVs" overnight. The ministry claims that 14 UAVs were destroyed over the Bryansk region, six over the Kaluga region, three each over the Belgorod and Kursk regions, two over the Oryol region, and one over the Republic of Tatarstan.