Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, recently issued stark threats against Ukraine following a drone strike near his home in Grozny. This isn’t an isolated outburst, but echoes a chilling plot from 2022 – a determined effort to infiltrate Kyiv and assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The recent incident involved a Ukrainian drone reportedly hitting a high-rise building just 830 meters from Kadyrov’s residence on November 5th. Kadyrov responded with a video vow of retribution, promising a “stern response” within the week. He insisted the strike lacked tactical justification, yet declared retaliation was inevitable.
A former Ukrainian government official, speaking anonymously, revealed the current threats are a continuation of a serious and long-held desire for revenge. However, the atmosphere in Kyiv is markedly different than it was during the initial stages of the 2022 invasion.
In early 2022, Kyiv was gripped by intense fear as Chechen units were dispatched with the explicit mission of eliminating Zelenskyy and other key Ukrainian leaders. Targets included top politicians, security officials, and members of Parliament. The threat was so acute that Zelenskyy and his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, frantically sought to secure Kyiv’s metro system.
Intelligence suggested a specific metro station, with its deep underground access and proximity to Zelenskyy’s bunker, represented a critical vulnerability. Officials feared Chechen operatives would use the station as an infiltration route to reach the presidential bunker.
Fortunately, those initial attempts were thwarted. The Chechen teams were reportedly eliminated before they could reach Kyiv, their efforts to approach via the city center or the river proving too complex. Despite the danger, Zelenskyy’s bunker remained secure.
The Grozny-City tower struck by the drone houses regional government offices, including the Chechen Security Council. Kadyrov, already known as a staunch and aggressive supporter of Putin, is now signaling an even more forceful stance as attacks penetrate deeper into Russian territory.
Despite Kadyrov’s fiery rhetoric, the former Ukrainian official asserts that Zelenskyy is no longer intimidated. The official claims Zelenskyy now projects an air of confidence and strength, seemingly unfazed by Kadyrov’s threats or their potential impact on the Ukrainian people.
This shift in Zelenskyy’s demeanor reflects a significant change in the dynamics of the conflict. He is perceived as more resilient, less vulnerable, and better protected than he was during the initial, terrifying days of the invasion.
