In a significant escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia, a drone attack was launched on Moscow, according to the Russian defense ministry. The attack, which took place on Tuesday, involved the use of five drones and targeted locations in and around the Russian capital. Among the affected areas was Vnukovo International Airport, one of Moscow’s major international airports, which had to divert flights due to the incident.
According to the Russian defense ministry, all five drones were successfully intercepted and shot down, resulting in no casualties or damage reported. However, the attack caused disruptions to flight operations, leading to the diversion of several flights from countries like Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
Notably, Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the alleged attack. Despite the absence of official acknowledgment, the incident has further strained the already tense relations between the two neighboring countries.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the attack, describing it as a “new terrorist act” by the Kyiv regime. The fact that the drones targeted an area with civil infrastructure, including an international airport, adds to the severity of the situation.
This is not the first time that Moscow has experienced a drone attack. In May, a similar incident occurred, causing minor damage and involving at least eight drones. The recent attack marks the first instance of multiple drones targeting the Russian capital since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Following this development, tensions are likely to escalate further, with both countries denying responsibility for the drone attacks on each other’s territories. In addition to the drone attack on Moscow, there was also a Russian drone strike on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Monday, resulting in three fatalities and several injuries, as confirmed by the local mayor.