In a significant escalation of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, drones reportedly struck both Moscow and Kyiv, marking the most severe attack of its kind since World War
Two, according to a Russian politician. This comes as Kyiv was hit by air attacks for the third time in 24 hours.
Since Russia's military intervention in Ukraine in February of the previous year, the war has primarily unfolded within Ukraine's borders, with sporadic reports of attacks on Russian territory, including an alleged assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin.
The drone strike on Moscow targeted affluent areas, including a western zone known for housing Putin and the country's elite. While Putin was at the Kremlin during the attack and received a briefing on the incident, Russia's defense ministry stated that eight drones dispatched by Kyiv were either shot down or diverted. However, a Telegram channel with connections to security services claimed that more than 25 drones were involved in the attack.
During the strike, two individuals were injured, and some apartment blocks were briefly evacuated in Moscow, as confirmed by the city's mayor. Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and smelling petrol. Several residents captured footage of a drone being shot down and witnessed the ensuing smoke plume.
Lawmaker Maxim Ivanov characterized the attack as the most severe assault on Moscow since the Nazi era, urging citizens to unite with the nation against the enemy. He warned that failure to do so would result in enduring shame for cowardice, collaboration, and betrayal.
In a similar incident earlier this month, two drones exploded over the Kremlin, an attack also attributed to Kyiv and believed to be aimed at Putin.
Another Russian lawmaker, Alexander Khinshtein, stated that Ukraine's acts of sabotage and terrorism would only intensify and called for significant strengthening of defense measures.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak denied direct Ukrainian involvement in targeting Moscow but remarked that they were pleased to witness the events unfolding and anticipated further actions.
With the conflict at a stalemate for most of 2023 and Russian troops occupying parts of eastern Ukraine, the war has caused immense devastation, claiming tens of thousands of lives, displacing millions, reducing cities to ruins, and wreaking havoc on the global economy.
In response to Russia's latest attacks, Ukraine reported four deaths and 34 injuries, including two children. The situation remains highly volatile, with tensions between the two nations continuing to escalate. Photo by Mos.ru, Wikimedia commons.