MOSCOW: Russia claimed on Saturday shooting down two Ukrainian drones as shelling injured six civilians in a border town of Russia. These incidents mark a recent surge in hostilities, with Ukraine vowing to extend the conflict into Russian territory.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that its air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed two drones. One drone was shot down while approaching Moscow at approximately 03:00 Moscow time, followed by the destruction of another drone near the Belgorod region border at 09:00.
Moscow, previously relatively untouched by the conflict, has become a regular target of drone strikes in recent days. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that the drone approaching Moscow was neutralized in the Istrinskii district. No casualties or damages were reported, and emergency services are working at the scene.
Concurrently, the situation escalated on the ground as Ukrainian shelling struck the town of Urazovo, situated about 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Ukrainian border. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of Russia’s Belgorod region condemned the attack, stating that “cluster munitions” were used, resulting in injuries to six civilians. He later updated the number from four to six injured, with one victim in critical condition.
Ukraine’s Use of Cluster Munitions in Russia
Ukraine has denied using cluster munitions and has maintained that its actions are in response to Russia’s continued aggression. The conflict has led to increased concerns from neighboring countries and the international community about the potential for further destabilization in the region.
The governor’s accusation of indiscriminate shelling by Ukrainian forces and occasional cross-border incursions by Ukrainian-backed militants has been a recurring issue in Russian regions along the Ukraine border. As both sides continue to exchange accusations and clashes intensify, the prospects for a peaceful resolution appear increasingly distant.
