The Russian defense ministry has stated that Ukraine launched a drone attack on Moscow, leading to the diversion of flights from Vnukovo International Airport. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, reportedly involved the use of five drones targeting locations in and around the capital.
According to the defense ministry, all five drones were successfully shot down by air defense systems, resulting in no casualties or damage. However, Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the alleged attack.
As a result of the incident, flight restrictions at Vnukovo airport have been lifted. Flights from countries such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt were among those affected by the diversion.
The defense ministry revealed that four of the drones flying in the Moscow region were intercepted by air defense systems, while the fifth was electronically intercepted before crashing. Reports from the Telegram channel Shot indicated that one of the drones or its fragments fell on a building in the village of Krivosheino, causing a subsequent fire. Another drone was reported to have crashed in Kubinka, located approximately 36 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of Vnukovo airport.
This is not the first time that Moscow has been targeted by drone attacks. In May, Russia’s defense ministry reported minor damage caused by at least eight drones. It marked the first instance of multiple drones targeting Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Kyiv denying responsibility for the attack.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the potential for asymmetric warfare tactics, such as drone attacks, to be employed in the conflict. The repercussions of these incidents and the broader implications for regional stability remain to be seen.
