Russian air defenses intercepted dozens of UAVs approaching the capital, according to Sergey Sobyanin
Ukraine targeted Moscow with a multi-wave drone attack on Wednesday and early Thursday morning, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has reported.
In a series of posts on his Telegram channel, the official revealed that at least 40 UAVs had been downed approaching Moscow. The mayor did not mention any casualties or material damage on the ground.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has reported numerous drone incursions across the country, including in the regions of Orlov, Crimea, Ryazan, Kursk, Belgorod, Bryansk and Lipetsk. According to the ministry’s updates throughout the day, at least 249 drones have been intercepted so far over Russian territory between 4am and 11:50pm Wednesday.
Russian media reported that Moscow’s Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo Airports temporarily halted their operations amid the air raid. Evgeniya Khrustaleva, the head of Domodedovo district, where the eponymous airport is situated, stated that air defense systems were operating in the area.
Residents of Moscow Region have also been sharing videos appearing to show Ukrainian UAVs flying toward the Russian capital. One clip also purportedly captured the moment a drone blew up in the air.
In a post on her Telegram channel, Khrustaleva later wrote that a drone fragment fell on the grounds of a kindergarten in Domodedovo district, triggering the evacuation of the children and staff.
Commissioner for children’s rights in Moscow Region, Ksenia Mishonova told TASS that “there were 98 children in the [kindergarten] at the time of the incident.” She added that none of them sustained any injuries.
A previous large-scale Ukrainian drone raid on Moscow happened in early May, days ahead of the festivities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
While most of the incoming UAVs were shot down by Russian air defenses, one hit a residential building in the south of Moscow. No casualties were reported at the time.
Just days later, Ukrainian drone attacks across Russia caused the temporary closure of all major airports in Moscow, with airlines forced to cancel and reroute dozens of flights. Thousands of passengers were left stuck on parked flights or stranded in airports without accommodation as a result.
Credit: RT News