MOSCOW: In a recent development that underscores the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, two Ukrainian combat drones were reportedly intercepted while attempting to breach Moscow’s airspace.
Russian officials confirmed the incident on Wednesday, marking the latest in a series of drone attacks aimed at the Russian capital. This incident came on the heels of a surge in drone strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, which resulted in a tragic death toll of nine.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, speaking via the messaging platform Telegram, revealed that two combat drones had made an audacious attempt to infiltrate the city. Fortunately, both drones were swiftly neutralized by Russia’s air defence systems. The first drone was downed in the Domodedovo area on the southern outskirts of Moscow, while the second was intercepted in the Minsk highway area to the west of the capital. Emergency services were promptly deployed to ensure the safety and security of the affected areas.
Russia’s defence ministry attributed the attempted drone attack to Ukraine, which reportedly employed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in its endeavour. The ministry clarified that the country’s air defence units successfully thwarted the attack, preventing any casualties or significant damage.
This event marks the third known attempted drone attack in the vicinity of Moscow within a week. Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down near the Podolsky district on the outskirts of the capital on Sunday, followed by another interception near the Kaluga region on Monday. This intensifying trend of drone attacks is a notable departure from the past, as the Russian capital had remained untargeted throughout the year-long conflict in Ukraine that commenced over a year ago.
Russia’s defence ministry revealed that a total of seven drones had been downed in the vicinity of Kaluga, a city located less than 200 kilometres (124 miles) southwest of Moscow. The rising frequency of such incidents raises concerns about the evolving tactics in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent warning that Russia’s “symbolic centres and military bases” were becoming potential targets for hostilities has added weight to the escalating situation. Debris from a downed drone attack has already struck an office block in Moscow’s primary business district, highlighting the real threat these unmanned aerial vehicles pose to urban areas.
The recent attempt to breach Moscow’s airspace comes shortly after Russia claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting a Ukrainian army command post in Pokrovsk, an eastern Ukrainian city. However, Ukraine refuted Russia’s assertion, calling it an “absolute lie.” Sergiy Cherevaty, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s operational command east, dismissed Russia’s repeated claims of destroying the command post.
With the city of Pokrovsk situated just 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the eastern front line, the conflict’s intensity remains palpable. Moscow claims to be making territorial gains and repelling Ukrainian assaults in this region. As both sides continue to engage in high-stakes manoeuvring, the situation is becoming increasingly complex and fraught with potential consequences.
