Ukraine launches the most significant drone attack to date against Moscow

Ukraine conducted its most significant drone attack on the Russian capital to date on Tuesday, resulting in the destruction of dozens of homes, the death of at least one woman, and the redirection of approximately 50 aircraft from airports in the Moscow region.

Russia, the world’s largest nuclear power, declared that it had destroyed at least 20 Ukrainian assault drones as they swarmed over the Moscow region, which has a population of over 21 million, and 124 more in eight other regions.

According to Russian authorities, at least one individual was slain in the vicinity of Moscow. Nearly 50 flights were diverted, and three of Moscow’s four terminals were closed for more than six hours.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the drone attack served as yet another reminder of the true character of Ukraine’s political leadership, which he claimed was comprised of Russia’s adversaries.

“There is no way that nighttime strikes on residential neighborhoods can be associated with military action,” emphasized Peskov.

“The Kyiv regime’s nature is still being demonstrated.” He stated, “They are our adversaries, and we must maintain the special military operation to safeguard ourselves from such actions,” employing the term that Moscow employs to characterize its conflict in Ukraine.

In February 2022, Russia deployed tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. According to Kyiv, 46 drones were launched against the country overnight, with 38 of them being annihilated.

The drone attacks on Russia caused damage to high-rise apartment buildings in the Ramenskoye district of the Moscow region, resulting in the burning of apartments, according to residents who spoke with Reuters.

According to Andrei Vorobyov, the administrator of the Moscow region, a 46-year-old woman was killed and three individuals were injured in Ramenskoye.

Residents reported that they were awakened by the sound of explosions and fire.

Alexander Li, a resident of the district, stated to Reuters, “I observed a ball of fire from the window.” “The window got blown out by the shockwave.”

In the early hours, Georgy, a resident who declined to disclose his surname, reported hearing a drone whirring outside his building.

“I drew back the curtain and it hit the building right before my eyes, I saw it all,” said the individual. “I took my family, and we ran outside.”

According to official data, the Ramenskoye district, which is situated approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of the Kremlin, is home to approximately one-quarter of a million individuals.

Russia’s defense ministry reported that over 70 drones were also destroyed over the Bryansk region of Russia, in addition to tens of others in other regions. There were no casualties or damages reported.

As Russia continues to advance in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv has escalated the conflict by conducting increasingly large drone attacks deep into Russian territory and initiating a cross-border attack into the western Kursk region of Russia on August 6.

Drone Warfare

The war has been primarily characterized by a grueling artillery and drone conflict along the 1,000 km (620 mile) heavily fortified front line in southern and eastern Ukraine, which has involved hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

Moscow and Kyiv have both endeavored to acquire and create new drones, deploy them in inventive manners, and explore novel methods of drone destruction, including the use of sophisticated electronic jamming systems and shotguns.

Both parties have converted inexpensive commercial drones into lethal weapons and have increased their own production and assembly to target energy infrastructure, such as refineries and airfields, as well as tanks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared Ukrainian drone attacks that target civilian infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants, “terrorism” and has pledged a response, despite his efforts to shield Moscow from the grueling rigors of the conflict.

The conflict has largely spared Moscow and other major Russian cities.

In the past two and a half years, Russia has launched thousands of missiles and drones at Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians, the destruction of a significant portion of the country’s energy infrastructure, and the destruction of commercial and residential properties throughout the country.

Kyiv’s Western supporters have expressed their opposition to a direct confrontation between Russia and the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, despite Ukraine’s assertion that it has the right to strike back deeply into Russia.

Ukraine did not provide any immediate commentary regarding the attacks that occurred on Tuesday. Both parties deny that they are targeting civilians.

The drone attacks that Ukraine launched in early September, which were primarily directed at Russia’s energy and power facilities, were followed by the attack on Tuesday.

Authorities in the Tula region, which is adjacent to the Moscow region to the north, reported that drone detritus had fallen onto a fuel and energy facility. However, they stated that the “technological process” of the facility was not affected.