Russian authorities claimed that they successfully foiled an attack on Moscow by Ukrainian forces, destroying two drones that were targeting the city. No injuries were reported, and Ukraine has not yet provided a comment on the incident.
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, at around 4 a.m. local time, at least two nonresidential buildings were targeted. However, he assured that there was no significant damage or casualties. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the use of electronic defenses to disable the drones.
As a precautionary measure, part of the Komsomolsky Prospect, a central avenue in Moscow, was closed off for investigation after a drone was found there. Videos verified by The New York Times showed damage in two locations near the Moskva River in the southern part of the city.
One of the videos depicted smoke rising from the top floors of a high-rise building within the Leroy Merlin complex, a French home improvement store. Additionally, several structures along Komsomolsky Prospect, including the Military University and the Central Military Band, appeared to have been damaged. However, it was difficult to ascertain whether the drones were responsible for the damage solely based on the visuals.
In the past, the fighting between Russia and Ukraine has been primarily concentrated on the front lines in eastern Ukraine, while Russian cities, including Moscow, have remained relatively safe. However, in May, Moscow faced its first significant drone attacks, highlighting the shifting dynamics of the conflict. Despite being nearly 800 kilometers away from the border and even farther from the front lines, the capital was no longer immune to violence.
Ukraine has adopted a policy of not commenting on attacks within Russia that have apparent connections to its military or its supporters. This approach is intended to maintain an element of surprise and military advantage. However, following a series of deadly strikes on Odesa, President Volodymyr Zelensky recently pledged to retaliate against Russia. Ukraine has also started to openly take credit for attacks within Crimea, arguing that they are happening within Ukrainian territory.
Contributions to this report were made by Shawn Paik and Jin Yu Young.
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