Russia Halts Ukrainian Drones Targeting Moscow in Major Assault

Photo : AP

On Wednesday, Ukraine launched a significant drone attack on Moscow, firing 11 drones at the Russian capital. The Russian defense systems successfully intercepted all the incoming drones, marking one of the largest such attempts against Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that there were no reported damages or casualties resulting from the attack. 

The drone strikes on Moscow come at a time when Ukraine is intensifying its offensive in Russia's Kursk region. This Ukrainian push is part of a broader strategy to end the conflict on what Kyiv terms "fair" terms, in response to Russia's invasion that began in February 2022.

According to the Russian defense ministry, a total of 45 Ukrainian drones were downed by their air defense systems. Moscow’s response highlights the growing threat of drone warfare in the region, though such attacks on Moscow are relatively rare. A previous incident in May involved a drone being downed outside the capital, which briefly disrupted operations at two major airports.

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In contrast, Ukrainian defense reports indicated a successful interception of 50 Russian drones and missiles overnight, including a guided missile. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported that 72 air targets were detected over Ukraine during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, with 50 drones and a missile shot down.

Kyiv, too, was targeted during this wave of attacks. The city's military administration noted that the air raid persisted for more than nine hours, causing damage to a private house and cutting power lines due to falling debris from intercepted targets.

Since August 6, Ukraine has executed an unprecedented cross-border assault into Russia's Kursk region, claiming control over more than 80 settlements in the area. The conflict has also seen Ukraine targeting Russian oil and gas facilities far from its borders. Most recently, Ukrainian drones struck an oil storage facility in Russia's Rostov region, causing a large fire that continued to burn as of Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the strikes on Russian oil facilities earlier this month, asserting that such actions are crucial for achieving a "just end" to the conflict. The intensity of the conflict reflects the ongoing high stakes as both sides continue to engage in extensive and destructive operations.