Russian city nearly 900 kilometres from Ukraine moves school online due to ‘missile danger’

Schools and colleges in the city of Cheboksary in Russia’s Volga region were closed on Thursday due to “missile danger”, Mayor Stanislav Trofimov announced on Telegram.

Residents of the city, located in the Chuvash Republic some 900 km away from the Ukrainian border, were also advised to limit their travel in the city, keep children at home, and stay away from windows and balconies.

The announcement comes three days after a Ukrainian missile attack struck several residential buildings in Cheboksary on Monday night, which regional authorities said left two residents dead and 37 wounded. A state of emergency was declared by the Chuvash regional government, and has remained in effect.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday that F-5 “Flamingo” cruise missiles had struck a military-industrial facility in Cheboksary, launched from a distance of over 1500 km.

The facility, known as JSC VNIIR-Progress, was previously targeted by Ukraine in July 2025, and specialises in developing electronic warfare systems, including antenna arrays used to jam satellite, radio, and radar signals.

Ukraine has ramped up its attacks deep inside Russian territory in recent weeks, successfully targeting both military-industrial facilities and Russian oil infrastructure, including the Kirishi oil refinery near St. Petersburg.

On Wednesday, Kyiv accused Russia of ignoring a unilateral ceasefire declared by Ukraine, which would have seen Ukraine respond “symmetrically” to Russian attacks during Victory Day celebrations in Russia. In a video address on Telegram, Zelensky said that Ukraine would determine its response “depending on the situation overnight and tomorrow.”