Title: Ukrainian Drones Downed in Latest Moscow Attack
Subtitle: Russian capital targeted in series of strikes; Ukraine denies responsibility
Date: Sun 30 Jul 2023 04.28 BST
Three Ukrainian drones were intercepted and brought down over Moscow early on Sunday, causing a temporary closure of an international airport, according to Russia’s defense ministry. Although one drone was shot down on the outskirts of the city, two others were neutralized through electronic warfare and crashed into an office complex. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the attack, stating that “Ukrainian drones attacked tonight. Facades of two city office towers were slightly damaged. There are no victims or injured.” The Ukrainian government is yet to comment on the incident, maintaining its position of not claiming responsibility for attacks on Russia.
This attack follows a string of recent drone assaults, including strikes on the Kremlin and Russian towns near the Ukrainian border, all of which were blamed on Kyiv by Moscow. The defense ministry classified it as an “attempted terrorist attack.”
In a statement released on Telegram, the defense ministry said, “One Ukrainian UAV was destroyed in the air by air defense systems over the territory of the Odintsovo district of Moscow region. Two more drones were suppressed by electronic warfare and, having lost control, crashed on the territory of Moscow-City’s non-residential building complex.”
As a result of the attack, Vnukovo airport was temporarily closed, with flights being redirected to other airports. However, operations resumed to normal within an hour.
Since February 2022, the region surrounding Moscow has been subjected to several drone attacks despite its distance from the Ukrainian border and ongoing conflict. Moscow has consistently blamed Kyiv for these incidents, which include missile interceptions and shelling.
Similarly, Russia reported that two Ukrainian missiles were intercepted over its southern Rostov region, with debris injuring at least 16 people in Taganrog. Meanwhile, a Russian missile attack on the northeast Ukrainian city of Sumy resulted in one civilian death and five injuries, according to the national police.
The latest attack on Moscow occurs amidst a Ukrainian counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming territory captured by Russia since the escalation of hostilities in February 2022.
The situation continues to escalate as both sides engage in military actions, causing casualties and disruptions in the border regions.