Drones Attack Skyscraper in Moscow for Second Time, Ukraine Accused
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — In a surprising turn of events, a drone attacked a skyscraper in central Moscow for the second time in just 48 hours, raising concerns about the vulnerability of the Russian capital. Russian authorities wasted no time in accusing Ukraine of staging the assault.
An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted about the incident, suggesting that Moscow “is rapidly getting used to a full-fledged war,” although they did not confirm or deny Ukraine’s involvement.
Russian officials claimed that the repeated attacks on the capital region highlighted the failures of Ukraine’s counteroffensive in recapturing Russian-occupied territory. Zelenskyy himself mentioned over the weekend that “the war is gradually coming back to Russian territory,” but he stopped short of taking responsibility for the drone attacks.
According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, two Ukrainian drones were shot down outside of Moscow, while another was jammed and crashed into a skyscraper, causing damage to the building’s facade. The attack occurred in Moscow City, a business district known for its high-rise office buildings located west of the Kremlin.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin revealed that the targeted drone crashed into the same building that was damaged during the first attack on Sunday. IQ-Quarter, the building complex where the attacks took place, houses several government agencies, including the headquarters of the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the drone attack on Tuesday. However, it remains unclear why the same building was hit twice in a row. Even staunch supporters of the Kremlin raised questions about the incident, as the Russian military claimed that the drones were jammed before crashing.
Margarita Simonyan, chief editor of the state-funded TV channel RT, posted on social media, stating that “a drone hitting the same tower for the second time in a row, where three federal ministries are located, at least requires explaining the comments that the electronic warfare downed them all.”
When asked about the level of protection in the Russian capital, considering the supposed jammed drones hitting the same building, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov redirected the question to the Defense Ministry, noting that “the threat exists, and measures are being taken.”
The mayor of Moscow, Sobyanin, detailed that the drone that struck the building on Tuesday hit the 21st floor, which housed the Economic Development ministry. Photos from the scene showcased missing glass panels and charred interiors. Damage assessment of the office is currently underway, and staff members worked from home on Tuesday.
Apart from the attacks on Moscow, the Russian military reported that Ukrainian forces attempted to attack two of their warships in the Black Sea, using maritime drones. However, all three drones were destroyed before they could cause any harm.
In another incident, a drone was shot down near the city of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, causing a brush fire. Crimea was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, leading to ongoing tensions between the two nations.
The recent attacks on Moscow and Crimea come in the wake of a deadly Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, which is President Zelenskyy’s hometown in central Ukraine. The missile strike partially destroyed a residential building and claimed the lives of seven people, with dozens more being injured.
The vast land and sea borders between Russia and Ukraine pose a challenge as much of the frontline is not covered by defense radar, providing opportunities for drone attacks. Experts suggest that Moscow’s defense systems are primarily designed for high-speed and high-angle targets like ballistic missiles, making it difficult to track slow-moving drones flying at low altitudes.
In other developments, Russian forces attacked Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, using Iranian-made Shahed drones. Several buildings were hit, resulting in partial destruction and injuries to civilians. Kherson, another Ukrainian city, was also shelled by Russian forces, leading to the death of a doctor and the injury of a nurse.
According to Ukraine’s presidential office, at least 12 civilians were killed and 104 injured in the country within 24 hours. The office reported that civilians were targeted in the recent attack on Kryvyi Rih, including a 10-year-old girl. This attack stands as one of the deadliest in recent weeks, with residential and university buildings being hit.
The situation remains tense between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides alleging aggression from the other. The international community closely observes the escalating conflict, fearing further escalation and its potential impact on regional stability.