Ukrainian drone assault disrupts Moscow ahead of key talks
At least two people were killed and two injured last night as a result of a "massive attack" by Ukrainian drones on Moscow and its surroundings, reported the governor of the Moscow region, Andrey Vorobyov, on Tuesday. He had earlier reported one fatality.
According to Reuters, it might have been the most significant Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian capital to date. It forced the temporary closure of two airports, caused fires, and damaged homes, according to official statements and media reports.
The first reports of the attack began coming in after 2 AM Greenwich Mean Time. Explosions woke residents of the capital and its surroundings.
Attack right before talks begin
Information about the attack on Moscow appeared a few hours before a Tuesday meeting planned in Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian and American delegations are to discuss steps to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defence reported that air defence shot down a total of 337 drones over 10 regions, including 126 over the Kursk region and 91 over the Moscow region.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that air defence shot down over 70 drones flying towards the city.
"The Ministry of Defence's air defence forces continue to repel a massive attack by hostile drones on Moscow," he wrote on the Telegram messenger.
According to the mayor, drones flying towards Moscow were shot down near the localities of Ramenskoye and Domodedovo, which are located about 40-50 kilometres south and southeast of the centre of the Russian capital, according to Reuters.
Due to the attack, flights at Zhukovsky and Domodedovo airports were halted.
Reuters notes that the Ukrainian side has yet to comment on information about the attack on Moscow and its surroundings.
