[“Tatarstan was attacked by drones for the first time”
“a converted Cessna or similar small plane. How in the world does something like that make it 1200 km into Russia?”
Holes in the Air Defense opening?
In WWII, Tatarstan was sanctuary for Russia’s industrial base, so far from the front, that factories could be safely built.
It resulted in investment in, and a build out of Kazan, that before the war was viewed as more of an area of sub-Russian, lesser race, subject people. (still was/is, but at least they built it up some)
With their local refinery (Taneco) also just knocked offline, that area may begin suffering fuel shortages more than higher priority areas like Moscow and St. Petersburg.]
“With sufficiently detailed contour mapping data, the drone should be able to fly a couple of hundred feet above ground, making it invisible to ground radar until far too late.”
Seems like that theory has tested good.
Maybe they will test it again tonight - but if not tonight, then soon. 2024 is destined to see a lot more drone activity. The checks have been written.