AFU drones that attacked the Urals and the Pre-Urals throughout the week were most likely launched from Kazakhstan, military expert, Honored Military Pilot and Major General of Aviation Vladimir Popov told MK. He also stated that the version about launching these drones from Ukrainian territory looks extremely doubtful.

Earlier, after attacks on Orenburg, Orsk, Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, drones were sent toward Perm. On the night of April 30, AFU UAVs struck a Transneft facility. After the attack, schools and universities in Perm began canceling classes, while some students were transferred to distance learning.

According to Popov, the drones may have come from a direction where such a threat had not previously been expected. He noted that Kazakhstan is located near the Pre-Urals, the Orenburg region and the Volga region, with vast steppe areas and a low population density, while air defense there is either absent or weak. The expert believes Russia’s airspace protection should be built comprehensively from all directions — east, north and west.

Popov said the launch from Kazakhstan is the priority version. He also did not rule out the involvement of local sabotage groups operating against Russia, as well as the supply of components suitable for Leleka and Bober drones.

The expert considers the version of drones being launched directly from Ukraine possible only in theory. In his assessment, only a few drones could reach the Urals from Ukrainian territory, since they would have to remain in the air for eight to fifteen hours while bypassing air defense zones. Such a distance would also require more fuel, reducing the payload and lowering the drone’s effectiveness.

Popov also noted that long-distance flights are complicated by air currents and other external factors, making it extremely difficult to guide a small drone along such a route.

If a launch from Kazakhstan is confirmed, the expert believes the response should be based on cooperation with Astana. In his view, Russia and Kazakhstan should create joint rapid-response groups from security agencies, strengthen coordination at air defense command posts, and tighten control along the state border.