Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Moscow Building Ahead Of Victory Day Celebrations/ Image@ BBC
Moscow experienced drone strikes on a residential high-rise, in the early hours of today, resulting in significant damage to the building’s façade but, fortunately, no reported injuries.
The incident marks the third consecutive night that the Russian capital has faced drone attacks, occurring just days before the scaled-back Victory Day parade on May 9, commemorating the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany.
An unverified video circulating on social media depicted firefighters entering a severely damaged apartment filled with dust and debris, alongside footage showing drone remnants scattered across the street below.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that two additional drones were intercepted during the assault. Operations at Vnukovo and Domodedovo international airports were halted overnight as a precaution.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 117 drones were intercepted across various regions of Russia between yesterday and today, with 60 targeting the St. Petersburg area in what regional governor Aleksandr Drodzhenko described as a “massive” offensive.
The affected residential complex is situated in an upscale district in southwest Moscow, less than 10 kilometers, approximately six miles from the Kremlin and Red Square, where Saturday’s parade is set to take place.
Since Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly targeted Moscow.
Drone alerts frequently disrupt air traffic and lead to airport shutdowns on the city’s outskirts, however, successful strikes near the city center remain uncommon due to protections provided by the Pantsir-S surface-to-air missile system.
In a display of apprehension leading up to the May 9 festivities, the Kremlin announced last week that it would reduce the scale of the traditional military parade on Red Square due to a “terrorist threat” from Ukraine.
For the first time since 2008, no armored vehicles or missile systems will be showcased.
Additionally, several local telecommunications providers indicated that mobile internet access would be restricted in Moscow for most of the week for “security reasons,” according to Russian media reports.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, remarked that the Kremlin’s actions reveal its fear of potential drone incursions over Red Square, stating,
”This is telling… We need to maintain pressure.”
Since the onset of the conflict, Ukraine has developed a range of long-range drones capable of striking targets hundreds of miles away. These drones have increasingly targeted energy infrastructure and refineries within Russia to undermine oil production and revenue.
Yesterday, President Zelensky reported that three Russian oil tankers, a cruise-missile carrier warship, and a patrol boat were hit in separate operations at two Russian ports.
He noted that these tankers were part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” utilized to bypass Western sanctions imposed following the full-scale invasion launched in 2022.
Meanwhile, Russia continues its relentless aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities.
Yesterday, Ukrainian officials reported that four individuals were killed and 18 others injured due to a missile strike near Kharkiv, close to the border with Russia.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong