Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Attack on Moscow and Western Russia
In one of its most significant drone assaults to date, Ukraine struck Moscow and western Russia on Tuesday, leaving at least one woman dead, damaging dozens of homes, and prompting the temporary closure of major airports in the capital, according to Russian officials. The Ukrainian drone offensive marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict, as Kyiv seeks to extend the battlefield deep into Russian territory.
Massive Drone Offensive
Russia’s defense ministry confirmed that it destroyed at least 20 Ukrainian drones over the Moscow region, which is home to over 21 million people. An additional 124 drones were reportedly downed across eight other regions in the country. According to Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, the attack’s widespread nature forced the closure of three of Moscow’s four major airports. Furthermore, a major road leading to the capital was partially closed due to the strikes.
The Ramenskoye district in the Moscow region, approximately 31 miles southeast of the Kremlin, sustained significant damage. Two high-rise apartment buildings were hit, setting multiple flats on fire. Moscow’s governor, Andrei Vorobyov, confirmed the death of a 46-year-old woman and the injury of three others in the district, with 43 people evacuated to temporary shelters.
Residents React to the Attack
Eyewitnesses reported the chaos that followed the strikes. “I looked at the window and saw a ball of fire,” said Alexander Li, a resident of the Ramenskoye district. “The window got blown out by the shockwave.” Social media footage showed flames pouring out of damaged residential buildings in the area, highlighting the intensity of the attack.
Ukraine’s Expanding Drone Campaign
While the Ukrainian government has not commented on Tuesday’s assault, Kyiv has consistently claimed the right to strike within Russian territory in retaliation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukraine has increasingly employed drones to target Russian energy, military, and transport infrastructure. In early September, drones primarily targeted Russia’s energy sector.
The Bryansk region, located west of Moscow, was another focal point of the drone strikes, with over 70 drones reportedly neutralized there. Although no casualties or significant damage were reported in Bryansk, the attacks impacted other regions across Russia.
Russia Condemns the Strikes
Russian officials condemned the drone strikes as acts of “terrorism,” claiming that civilian infrastructure was targeted. However, Ukraine’s Western allies have repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential for the war to escalate, emphasizing their desire to avoid a confrontation between NATO and Russia.
Russia’s status as the world’s second-largest oil exporter, combined with Ukraine’s growing drone capabilities, suggests that this drone campaign could have far-reaching effects on the conflict’s dynamics. Both sides continue to deny targeting civilians despite civilian casualties being reported on both sides of the war.
Impact on Key Infrastructure
Authorities in Russia’s Tula region reported that the wreckage of a drone fell on a fuel and energy facility. However, they claimed that the “technological process” at the facility was unaffected. Nonetheless, the increased frequency and scale of Ukrainian drone strikes have raised concerns about the security of critical Russian infrastructure.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia intensifies, the recent drone assault on Moscow underscores Kyiv’s determination to strike deep into Russian territory while continuing to contend with Russia’s advances in eastern Ukraine.