Ukrainian drones target Moscow as Russian defenses claim victory
The Russian Ministry of Defence confirms that during the night and this morning (22 May), there was an attack by Ukrainian drones on Moscow Oblast. The Russians claim they shot down 400 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.
Russian channels on Telegram report that during the night from Wednesday to Thursday (21 to 22 May) and on Thursday morning, a massive attack by Ukrainian drones took place on cities in Moscow Oblast and beyond.
The targets of the bombardment were towns near Moscow and the Russian capital itself. On social media, recordings of the drone attack have surfaced. They feature regular explosions and show lights from the striking aerial vehicles.
War blogger and former Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Anton Herashchenko, indicates that the Russians closed significant logistical points in Moscow, including nearby airports.
"Airports in Moscow region have been closed down several times yesterday. Mobile networks were shut down in some regions of Russia," wrote the Ukrainian blogger.
The Russian authorities confirm the information about the shelling. Their Ministry of Defence indicates that "the air defence system shot down over 400 Ukrainian drones." However, the Russians do not provide information on any potential losses that Ukrainian drones might have caused.
Russian sources on Telegram report that some drones from Ukraine reached their targets. Among them, a semiconductor equipment factory in the city of Bolkhov in Oryol Oblast was reportedly hit.
Many of the reports provided by Russian media and government representatives are likely not true. Such reports could be part of an information warfare by the Russian Federation.
