In a shocking incident, at least 14 individuals sustained injuries during an overnight drone attack in the central Russian city of Cheboksary, located in the Republic of Chuvashia. This alarming news was confirmed by the region's deputy prime minister, who reported the casualties from the attack.
Footage shared on Telegram captured the moment of the explosion, which occurred at a residential apartment building within the city. Investigations into the incident revealed that the explosion could be pinpointed using publicly available online mapping services. By comparing the buildings in the video with a nearby car park adjacent to a prominent six-lane road, the precise location of the blast was established.
Images obtained post-attack depict significant damage, including shattered windows and destroyed balconies of two buildings verified to be in close proximity to the explosion site. While the specific target of the drone strike remains unclear, local reports on Russian social media suggest that a power plant is located approximately 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) northeast of the explosion. Interestingly, a facility belonging to the firm ABS Electro, which is currently under sanctions from the US, is situated a mere 450 meters north of the blast area.
This incident is not an isolated event; there have been previous attacks on Cheboksary, including a verified drone strike targeting the ABS Electro site in June and another incident in November. These recurring attacks raise concerns about the escalating tensions and potential strategic targets within the region.
In a separate development, President Donald Trump faced questions regarding his willingness to release footage of a Venezuelan naval strike that occurred on September 2nd. During an interaction with an ABC News reporter, Trump refuted earlier claims suggesting he would have "no problem" releasing the full video. He labeled the inquiry as "ABC fake news," despite having stated just days earlier that he would indeed have "no problem" releasing such footage.
When pressed about the footage on December 3rd, Trump indicated a willingness to share any available material, stating, "whatever they have, we’d certainly release - no problem." This contradiction has prompted scrutiny, particularly as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that officials are currently reviewing the decision to release the footage. The video purportedly showcasing the initial strike was shared by Trump on his Truth Social platform shortly after the operation concluded.
Pressure is mounting on the administration to disclose the footage of the subsequent strike, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of survivors from the initial blast. Legal experts have indicated that this so-called "double tap" attack may have violated international law, leading to further controversy surrounding the military's actions.
Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, tensions continue to escalate along the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Reports indicate that fighting has persisted into a second day, with Cambodian sources claiming that seven people were killed due to overnight assaults by Thai forces. Thailand, on the other hand, reports that at least three of its soldiers have died in the conflict, which has led to the displacement of thousands of residents in the affected areas.
As these events unfold, BBC Verify continues to monitor and fact-check developments both in Cheboksary and the ongoing border conflict in Southeast Asia, providing crucial updates to the public.
Back in the UK, the Liberal Democrats are advocating for the country to explore the possibility of joining a joint customs union with the EU. BBC Verify journalist Ben Chu is currently investigating the implications of such a move, including its potential benefits and drawbacks.