At least one person killed and homes destroyed in drone attack on Moscow

Russian authorities reported a significant escalation in drone attacks overnight, resulting in one fatality, numerous fires, and disruptions to air travel in Moscow. The Russian defense ministry claimed that its air defenses intercepted a total of 144 Ukrainian drones. Of these, half were reportedly intercepted over the Bryansk region near Russia’s western border, while 20 were over Moscow and 14 over Kursk.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, disclosed that the attacks caused fires in several apartments within two high-rise buildings in Ramenskoye. These incidents led to the death of a 46-year-old woman and injuries to three others. Additionally, 43 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters due to the damage.

The Kremlin swiftly condemned the attacks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the incidents underscored Ukraine’s role as a threat to Russia, emphasizing the need for continued military action in Ukraine. He argued that such attacks validate Russia’s ongoing military operations, asserting, “We must continue the military operation in order to protect ourselves from such displays of this regime.”

In response to the drone strikes, Russian state media reported that four airports in Moscow had been forced to shut down, disrupting more than 30 flights, both domestic and international. By Tuesday morning, the Russian aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, confirmed that operations had resumed at three of the affected airports: Domodedovo, Zhukovsky, and Vnukovo.

On the battlefield, Russia announced progress in eastern Ukraine, claiming the capture of at least three villages in the Donetsk region. The defense ministry also reported the “liberation” of Krasnohorivka, another town in Donetsk. Meanwhile, Ukrainian sources indicated that Russian forces had also taken control of Memryk and Novohrodivka, villages located 24km and 10km from the crucial town of Pokrovsk. According to BBC sources, Ukrainian troops had retreated from Novohrodivka, though Kyiv has yet to officially comment.

In a parallel development, the Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 38 out of 46 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia. These drones were downed over various regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Poltava. The Ukrainian Air Force also noted that Russia had launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and a Kh-31 air-to-surface missile in the same period.

The escalation in drone attacks is part of a broader pattern of overnight raids between the two nations. This recent wave of strikes comes amidst reports of Russian advancements in eastern Ukraine. Over the past few days, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities such as Lviv, Poltava, and Kharkiv.

The ongoing conflict has seen a hardening of Russia’s response following Ukraine’s recent offensive into the Kursk region. As the situation evolves, both nations continue to exchange blows, with drone strikes and missile attacks becoming increasingly common in the ongoing struggle between Ukraine and Russia.