Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is back in the spotlight — and not for anything peaceful, unsurprisingly. After a Ukrainian drone reportedly struck a high-rise building near his home in Grozny on Nov. 5, the Kremlin-loyal strongman issued fresh threats against Ukraine, reviving memories of the 2022 plot in which Chechen fighters tried to infiltrate Kyiv and target President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Because nothing says “stability” like recycling assassination threats.
According to Reuters, the drone hit the 28-story Grozny-City tower, sitting just about 830 meters from Kadyrov’s residence. Kadyrov later confirmed the strike on Telegram, saying there were no casualties — and then immediately condemned the attack as making “no tactical sense.” Of course, labeling Ukrainian strikes as “senseless” has become something of a hobby for Moscow-aligned officials.
His response didn’t stop there. Kadyrov vowed retaliation, promising, “Starting tomorrow and in the course of the week, the Ukrainian fascists will be feeling a stern response.” He added that unlike Ukraine, his forces “will not be making a cowardly strike on peaceful targets.” A bold statement from a man whose forces have spent years doing Russia’s dirty work.
A former Ukrainian government official told Fox News Digital that this “new threat would just be another assassination threat for Zelenskyy,” adding that “the Chechens are really serious about revenge.” But Kyiv isn’t panicking this time around. In 2022, the anxiety was intense; today, Zelenskyy “is now better protected, feels more powerful and is less fragile.”
During Russia’s full-scale invasion, Chechen units were deployed early and were among the Kremlin’s most loyal forces. According to the former official, they were even sent to Kyiv to assassinate top political figures — including Zelenskyy himself and other high-ranking members of the government, security services, and Parliament.
The official claimed that Zelenskyy and his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, were so alarmed at the time that they called advisors requesting security around a key metro station. This particular station, deep underground and near the presidential bunker, was seen as a possible infiltration route for Chechen fighters. In the end, those fighters were killed before reaching Kyiv. Despite their attempts to reach downtown — or even approach via the river — the plot ultimately failed.
Meanwhile, the Nov. 5 strike near Kadyrov’s home has clearly rattled the Chechen leader, prompting him to signal an even harsher stance as Ukrainian attacks strike deeper into Russian territory. The Moscow Times reported that the targeted building housed regional government offices, including the Chechen Security Council and agencies tied to tourism and religious affairs.
Once again, Kadyrov is projecting anger and threats — but Ukraine isn’t reacting with the same fear as in 2022. And seeing a regime built on intimidation struggling to shake Kyiv’s confidence? Well, that’s the kind of shift that reminds us that even the biggest bullies lose their edge eventually.
