Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of trying to scare the Russian people after at least eight drones attacked Moscow on the 30th (local time), causing minor damage to some buildings.
The BBC and CNN analyzed that it was the first drone attack of this scale on Moscow since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and that the drones appeared to be targeting the residences of Russia’s political and economic elite, qualitatively different from previous attacks.
Putin said the drones were aimed at civilians, but all were repulsed.
In this regard, the Russian Ministry of Defense said, “All eight drones launched into the Russian capital were destroyed,” and “three of them were suppressed by electronic warfare and lost control and deviated from their intended target, and five were shot down by Panchir-S surface-to-air missiles. ”he said.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said several drones crashed in the western suburbs where high-ranking officials live, but no one was injured.
According to the BBC, the drone strikes targeted luxury residential facilities, including the famous Leninsky Prospekt Avenue created during the Stalin era and Putin’s suburban residence.
President Putin accused Ukraine of “obvious acts of terrorism”, saying that “Ukraine has turned towards intimidation of the Russian people and airstrikes on residential areas.”
But Ukraine denies having anything to do with the attack.
Ukraine’s presidential aide, Mikhailo Podolyak, said Ukraine was not directly involved in the attack, but was enjoying the incident and predicted more such incidents in the future.
On the 3rd of this month, two drones flew into the Kremlin Palace, where President Putin’s office is located, and were shot down by air defense networks. Russia has labeled the attack an “assassination attempt on President Putin” and warned of retaliation. The Ukrainian side did not admit their responsibility.
CNN analyzed that it would be difficult for Moscow citizens to go back to the previous situation, which was the first time that Ukrainians were subjected to drone strikes on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a regular video address on the night of the 29th that “the time for the counterattack has been decided” although he did not specify the specific timing.
President Zelensky said, “As usual, the commander-in-chief (Valery Zaluzny) and the operational commander reported to the staff, not only the ammunition supply, but also the training of new troops and our tactics.”
He said, “And the point of view (reported and received). The timing of how we move forward is the most important,” he said. “We will do that (as planned).”
Ukraine has increased the number of strikes against Russian ammunition depots, logistical junctions and rear army bases over the past few days.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.