Kadyrov awarded the soldier who shot down a drone in Chechnya

A million rubles was awarded to the soldier who shot down a drone over Chechnya on December 9, according to the republic's head, Ramzan Kadyrov.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," Kadyrov reported on the afternoon of December 9 that security forces had shot down two drones in Chechnya. Another, he claimed, was shot down over the territory of a neighboring republic.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov reported on his Telegram channel on the evening of December 9 that he had held a meeting with the heads, commanders, and personnel of the republic's security agencies to discuss drone attacks in the region.

Chechen Interior Minister Aslan Iraskhanov spoke at the meeting, announcing "additional counter-UAV tasks." He clarified that "today," that is, December 9, "we managed to promptly detect and eliminate another aerial threat." "A Ukrainian drone was shot down, and the soldier whose actions led to this result has been awarded a letter of thanks from the head of the Chechen Republic and a cash bonus of one million rubles," Kadyrov added.

He previously reported that two drones had been shot down over Chechnya. It was not specified why a fighter who shot down only one was awarded the award.

As a reminder, on the night of December 7, the military shot down a drone in Chechnya. This drone attack was the third in Chechnya in six days.

On December 5, several floors of one of the towers in the Grozny City business center were damaged by an explosion. Ramzan Kadyrov confirmed sources that the high-rise complex was damaged by a Ukrainian drone .

On December 2, four drones were shot down over Chechnya. That day, Chechnya became the only region in the North Caucasus Federal District to record a drone attack, despite restrictions imposed due to flight safety concerns at airports not only in Grozny but also in Vladikavkaz, Magas, Makhachkala, and Nalchik.

Chechnya suffered its first drone attack since the start of the military operation on October 29, 2024, resulting in a fire at a building on the grounds of the Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes. The second attack occurred on December 4, 2024, in Grozny, and the third on December 12, 2024. On that day, a drone was shot down over the Ministry of Internal Affairs barracks in Grozny, injuring four guards. Footage of the next drone attack, carried out on December 15, 2024, is featured in the "Caucasian Knot" video "Fourth Drone Attack on Chechnya."

In August 2025, the military shot down drones in the Shelkovsky and Nadterechny districts. There were no casualties or damage, the head of Chechnya reported. The "Caucasian Knot" news agency prepared a report, " Drone Attacks on Chechnya ."