Ukrainian sabotage units may have been behind a drone strike on Cheboksary, potentially launching the attack from within Russian territory, according to Major General Vladimir Popov, a distinguished military pilot.

Popov suggested that such tactics reflect the situation on the front line, where, in his view, Ukrainian forces have not achieved significant progress. He argued that this lack of results is pushing them toward alternative approaches, including the use of sabotage and reconnaissance groups equipped with previously supplied drones. The general did not rule out the possibility that these unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed from inside Russia.

On May 5, Oleg Nikolaev, head of the Chuvash Republic, reported that an overnight attack targeting Cheboksary and nearby areas had been repelled. Regional health authorities said three civilians were injured.

Subsequent reports from the Telegram channel SHOT indicated that Lyutyy-type drones may have been used in the strike, with a total of nine devices allegedly involved. Russia’s Ministry of Defense has not issued any comment on these claims.