Moment ‘Ukrainian drone plane’ explodes after flying into Russian special forces base more than 700 miles from the front line

This is the dramatic moment a Ukrainian aircraft-style drone explodes after flying into a Russian special forces base more than 700 miles from the front line.

Several drones reportedly hit the OMON police unit in Grozny, and a base from which troops are sent to fight Ukraine.

Loud explosions were reported in the city, the capital of Chechnya, a region led by Putin warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, who has sent tens of thousands of troops to the war.

Shots were fired in attempts to shoot down the explosive-packed unmanned aircraft, but there appeared to be a lack of air defense against the slow-moving incoming drones.

It is the third attack on the city in just eleven days.

The extent of the damage and any toll were not immediately known.

It came shortly after Vladimir Putin, 72, awarded Kadyrov, 48, the “For services to the Fatherland” award at an unannounced but secretly filmed Kremlin ceremony, at which other top officials loyal to the dictator also received gongs.

Kadyrov – who holds the rank of colonel general in the Russian National Guard – had demanded better air defense protection for his capital.

Shots were fired during attempts to shoot down the unmanned aircraft, which was loaded with explosives

The aircraft-style drone burst into flames after hitting the facility

The incident took place in Grozny, more than 700 miles from the front line

Vladimir Putin, 72, right, had awarded Ramzan Kadyrov, 48, left, the honor ‘For services to the Fatherland’ during an unannounced but secretly filmed Kremlin ceremony

Kadyrov has been widely rebuked by the West for human rights abuses and his support for Putin during the war.

He previously threatened to place Ukrainian prisoners of war on the roofs of strategic buildings to discourage attacks by Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces.

New research by Proekt’s independent media has revealed that Kadyrov has tripled the size of his own private army.

Since the start of the war, no fewer than nine new paramilitary units have been established.

No other regional leader in Russia is allowed to maintain its own private army.

During the 2023 coup against the Kremlin regime by once-loyal Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, Kadyrov’s forces – known as ‘Kadyrovtsy’ – were mobilized to support Putin.

There are claims that in the event of Putin’s death or political demise, Kadyrov could try to use his forces in an attempt to declare landlocked Chechnya an independent state.

The criminal Chechen ruler – also known as The Don – has packed the government in Grozny with his extended family and other loyalists.

Kadyrov, a father of 15 children and at least three polygamous wives, fell seriously ill earlier this year when his weight ballooned, but lately he appears to be in stronger health.

The presiding regional leader this weekend demanded the closure of beauty salons in Chechnya because their advertisements allegedly contained unacceptable images of women’s bodies.

“Beauty salons post photos of female models showing body parts that should not be shown,” he said.