Ukrainian Drone Attack Forces Airports in Moscow to Suspend Flights
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russian authorities reported that they successfully repelled nearly 150 Ukrainian drones during a major overnight assault leading into Wednesday. This wave of drone attacks forced the suspension of flights at three major airports in Moscow. According to the defense ministry’s updates on Telegram, 112 of these drones were either destroyed or intercepted across six regions in just three hours before midnight.
Moscow’s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, also confirmed that an additional 33 drones aimed directly at the capital were shot down. While Russian military officials frequently note Ukrainian drone activity, the intensity of this particular attack stands out as unprecedented, particularly in the short duration of its occurrence.
Flight Disruptions and Airport Restrictions
Historically, Moscow, situated several hundred kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is not routinely targeted by drone strikes on such a large scale. However, in recent weeks, the capital has had to divert flights with increasing frequency due to heightened threats. The Federal Aviation Transport Agency has since enforced restrictions at Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky airports as a precautionary measure.
These limitations on air travel highlight the rising tension and danger surrounding the region, as authorities seek to mitigate risks posed by ongoing aerial assaults.
Broader Context of Ukrainian Drone Strikes
Beyond Moscow, the drone assault’s reach extended to the southwestern Bryansk region, where 59 drones were reportedly deployed. Russian military sources also reported drone activity in the Kursk, Belgorod, Tula, Oryol, and Kaluga regions. This increase in drone deployments follows Ukraine’s assertion that it has experienced the most severe three days of Russian aerial bombardments since the onset of military operations in 2022.
Ukraine’s defense claims include over 900 drones launched by Russia during that brief span, with disturbing reports identifying thirteen civilian casualties from drone strikes on Sunday, including three children. These developments raise concerns about the ongoing conflict’s toll on non-combatants.
Retaliatory Strikes by Russia
In a coherent narrative of aggression, Russia’s defense ministry has stated that these drone strikes are retaliatory measures aimed at Ukrainian positions. The Russian military blames Ukrainian drone and missile attacks for causing civilian casualties within its own territories, thus justifying their intensified response.
Such claims illustrate the complex and brutal nature of the conflict, where both sides continue to exchange strikes with severe implications for the civilian population.
