Ukraine Launches Major Drone Attack on Moscow: Russian Air Defenses Successfully Repel Strike
MOSCOW, August 21, 2024 – In what Russian officials are calling one of the largest drone strikes on Moscow since the conflict began in February 2022, Ukraine launched an attack early Wednesday involving at least 11 drones. All of the drones were successfully intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defenses, preventing any reported injuries or damage.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a total of 45 drones were shot down over various regions across Russia, including 11 over the Moscow region, 23 over the border region of Bryansk, six over Belgorod, three over Kaluga, and two over Kursk. The interception of drones over the Moscow region included some near the city of Podolsk, approximately 38 kilometers south of the Kremlin.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the scale of the attack, describing it as “one of the largest attempts to attack Moscow using drones ever.” He credited the “layered defense” system around Moscow for successfully repelling the attack. Sobyanin also noted that there were no injuries or damage reported in the Moscow region following the attack.
The air defense system’s success was mirrored across other targeted regions, including Bryansk, where Governor Alexander Bogomaz confirmed that no casualties or damage occurred. The Russian Defense Ministry did not report any incidents in the Tula or Rostov regions, although Russian state media claimed two drones were destroyed over Tula, and Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev mentioned that an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system was struck by Ukrainian forces.
This latest drone attack on Moscow is comparable in scale to a previous attack in May 2023, when eight drones were destroyed over the capital. Russian President Vladimir Putin had then described the strike as a Ukrainian attempt to “scare and provoke” Russia.
While the capital’s daily life remained largely undisturbed—with busy cafes, restaurants, and shops reflecting little concern—this escalation marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict. For months, Ukraine has engaged in a damaging drone war targeting Russian refineries and airfields, though major drone attacks on Moscow, a city of over 21 million people, have been relatively rare.
The attack on Moscow coincides with ongoing intense battles in Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukraine has carved out at least 450 square kilometers of Russian territory since escalating its operations on August 6. This represents the largest foreign attack on Russian territory since World War II.
Despite the drone attack on the capital, Russian forces continue their operations in eastern Ukraine, where they control approximately 18% of the territory. Moscow’s strategy remains focused on both repelling Ukraine’s advances and maintaining the security of its capital.
The Russian Defense Ministry’s claims and the unverified footage circulated by Russian media of drones being shot down over the Moscow region highlight the ongoing tension between the two nations, as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
As of this report, normal operations have resumed at Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports after temporary flight restrictions were lifted at 0330 GMT.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to engage in a battle of attrition, as the war grinds on across multiple fronts in eastern Ukraine and now within Russia’s own borders.
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