In its largest drone strike on the Russian capital so far, Ukraine targeted the Moscow region on Tuesday. The attack resulted in the death of one woman, the destruction of numerous homes, and the forced diversion of almost fifty flights from airports in the Moscow area.
The largest nuclear power in the world, Russia, claimed to have shot down at least 20 Ukrainian attack drones as they swarmed over the Moscow region, home to over 21 million people, and 124 more over eight other regions.
Near Moscow, at least one person died, according to Russian authorities. Nearly fifty planes were rerouted and three of Moscow’s four airports were closed for longer than six hours.
Kyiv said Russia, which sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, had attacked it overnight with 46 drones, of which 38 were destroyed.
Residents told Reuters that the drone assaults on Russia caused damage to many high-rise apartment complexes in the Moscow region’s Ramenskoye area, putting units on fire.
In Ramenskoye, a 46-year-old woman lost her life and three others were hurt, according to Andrei Vorobyov, regional governor of Moscow.
Fire and booms were heard when the residents woke up.
“I looked at the window and saw a ball of fire,” Alexander Li, a resident of the district told Reuters. “The window got blown out by the shockwave.”
A homeowner named Georgy, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that in the wee hours of the morning, he noticed a drone flying outside his building.
“I drew back the curtain and it hit the building right before my eyes, I saw it all,” he added. “I took my family and we ran outside.”
Based on government figures, the Ramenskoye area, located around 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of the Kremlin, is home to about 25,000 people.
Russia’s defense ministry reported that tens more drones were shot down over other locations, while over 70 drones were downed over the Bryansk region. There were no recorded casualties or damage.
Russia is pushing further into eastern Ukraine. In response, Kyiv launched a cross-border assault on the western Kursk region of Russia on August 6 and has intensified drone operations that penetrate deep into Russian territory.
DRONE WAR
The fight along the 1,000 km (620 mile) heavily fortified front line in southern and eastern Ukraine has primarily involved artillery and drones. Hundreds of thousands of men have participated in this grinding war.
Moscow and Kiev have both made efforts to acquire and create new drones. They use these drones in creative ways and employ novel techniques to take them down, such as sophisticated electronic jamming devices or shotguns.
Both sides have increased their own manufacture and assembly of drones. They are converting low-cost commercial drones into lethal weapons to assault targets like tanks, refineries, and airfields.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has promised a retaliatory strike in response to the Ukrainian drone operations. He has labeled these operations as “terrorism” because they target civilian infrastructure. Putin has attempted to shield Moscow from the brutality of the conflict.
Large Russian cities like Moscow have mostly avoided the fighting.
Over the past 2.5 years, Russia has bombarded Ukraine with thousands of missiles and drones. These attacks have killed thousands of civilians, destroyed much of the nation’s energy infrastructure, and damaged both residential and commercial assets.
Kyiv’s Western backers do not want a direct conflict between Russia and NATO. However, Ukraine claims it has the right to strike deep into Russia.
Regarding Tuesday’s strikes, Ukraine did not immediately respond. Targeting civilians is denied by both parties.
The attack on Tuesday comes after drone strikes that Ukraine initiated in early September, mostly aimed against Russian oil and electrical infrastructure.
Authorities in the Tula area, which borders Moscow to the north, reported that wreckage from a downed drone struck a fuel and energy complex. However, the facility’s “technological process” remained unaffected.
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