Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russia
A swarm of drones from Ukraine launched a massive attack on Russia, marking one of the largest single drone attacks from Ukraine during the ongoing war. Early Tuesday, drones targeted various regions across Russia, including the capital city, Moscow.
A Russian woman lost her life when a drone directly hit her apartment complex on the outskirts of Moscow. The drone struck a 17-floor high rise, causing significant damage to the 10th through 12th floors where the woman resided. Several others were injured in the early morning drone assault.
Impact of the Drone Attack
Reports suggest that at least 144 drones were intercepted over Russian territory during the attack wave. The attack led to traffic disruption at multiple airports, resulting in stops and delays. This suggests that the total number of drones deployed was likely in the hundreds.
Ukrainian commanders likely prefer this attack method as it induces terror and panic among the Russian population without risking valuable manpower and at minimal cost.
Disruption of Air Traffic
The drone attack caused significant disruption of air traffic. Four airports servicing Moscow, including key hubs Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo, had to cancel or delay flights on Tuesday morning as a result of the attack. The airport in the Tatarstan capital of Kazan, over 700 kilometers east of Moscow, also temporarily suspended service early Tuesday.
There are reports that some of the drones scored direct hits on Domodedovo International Airport, Moscow's second-largest airport.
Targeting of Moscow Airports
Moscow's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, confirmed that a fire broke out on the runway at Zhukovsky airfield due to falling debris from a drone. Online videos showed a fire burning next to a plane and a passenger bus.
Three out of four Moscow airports were shut, including Domodedovo international airport, which was reportedly targeted for the first time. More than 30 domestic and international flights were suspended, marking a new unprecedented escalation in the large-scale targeting of airports.
Local Reactions to the Attack
Local residents fear that the war could be coming closer to the capital. This fear is heightened as Ukraine urges the West to approve long-range missile strikes deep into Russian territory.
Residents described the terrifying experience of the drone attack. One resident said that it was hard to breathe and that they had to open the windows due to the smoke. Another resident expressed concern about the hostilities getting closer to the Russian capital.
Kremlin's Response to the Attack
Despite the attack, Kremlin leadership does not seem panicked. Russian forces continue to make sweeping gains in Eastern Ukraine, where the real battle for future settlement of boundaries is taking place.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, announced that the military operation must continue to protect Russia from such attacks, implying that the continuation of the war is necessary and justified.
Bottom Line
The recent drone attack from Ukraine on Russia marks an unprecedented escalation in the ongoing war. The attack, which targeted various regions including the capital city, Moscow, caused significant disruption and induced terror among the population. Despite this, Kremlin leadership maintains that the continuation of the war is necessary for protection against such attacks. What are your thoughts on this development? Do you think this escalation will lead to further intensification of the war? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
