Ukraine carried out one of the largest drone attacks on Moscow to date on Wednesday, according to the city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. Russian air defense units successfully intercepted and destroyed at least 10 drones aimed at the capital.
Some of the drones were taken down over the city of Podolsk, located about 38 kilometers (24 miles) south of the Kremlin, Sobyanin reported. “The air defense systems of the defense ministry continue to repel enemy UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attacks,” he stated on the Telegram messaging app at 4:43 a.m. local time (0143 GMT).
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“This is one of the largest attempts to attack Moscow using drones ever. We continue to monitor the situation,” Sobyanin added. Preliminary reports indicated no injuries or damage as a result of the attacks.
While Ukraine has previously launched drone strikes on Moscow, typically with one or two drones, this attack appears to be larger in scale. It surpasses a similar incident in May 2023, when at least eight drones were destroyed over the capital in what Russian President Vladimir Putin described as an attempt by Kyiv to provoke and intimidate Russia.
Russian officials typically do not disclose the full scale of such attacks, often only reporting the drones that are successfully intercepted. Both Ukraine and Russia also tend to downplay the extent of the damage caused by their respective strikes, unless civilian infrastructure is hit or casualties occur.
Wednesday’s drone attack on Moscow was part of a broader Ukrainian assault on Russian territory. In addition to the drones targeting Moscow, Russian air defense systems also destroyed 18 drones over the border region of Bryansk, as well as several other drones and missiles in different regions, according to Russian officials.
The governor of the Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, confirmed that there were no casualties or damage reported following the attacks in his area. Additionally, Russia’s RIA state news agency reported that two drones were intercepted over the Tula region, which neighbors Moscow.
In a separate incident, Vasily Golubev, governor of the Rostov region in southwestern Russia, reported that air defense forces destroyed a Ukrainian-launched missile over the region, with no injuries reported.
There has been no immediate comment from Ukraine regarding the attacks. In recent months, Kyiv has intensified its air attacks on Russian territory, stating that its goal is to disrupt infrastructure critical to Moscow’s war efforts. Ukrainian officials also claim these strikes are retaliatory measures in response to Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukrainian territory.
Key Points:
Large-Scale Drone Attack on Moscow: Ukraine launched one of its largest-ever drone attacks on Moscow, with Russian air defenses intercepting and destroying at least 10 drones.
Drones Intercepted Over Podolsk: Some drones were destroyed over Podolsk, a city 38 kilometers south of the Kremlin.
Mayor’s Statement: Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the attack and said there were no injuries or damage reported.
Comparison to Previous Attacks: This attack was larger than a similar one in May 2023, which involved eight drones.
Limited Disclosure by Russia: Russian officials typically report only on the drones they intercept and do not reveal the full scale of attacks.
Broader Drone Assault on Russia: The drone attack on Moscow was part of a broader Ukrainian assault, with 18 drones intercepted over Bryansk and additional drones and missiles intercepted in other regions.
No Casualties in Bryansk: No casualties or damage were reported in Bryansk following the drone attacks.
Additional Interceptions: Drones were also intercepted over the Tula region, and a missile was destroyed over the Rostov region.
Ukraine’s Increased Air Attacks: Ukraine has escalated air attacks on Russian territory, aiming to disrupt infrastructure critical to Moscow’s war efforts and in retaliation for Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory.
No Immediate Comment from Ukraine: Ukraine has not yet commented on the attacks.
