Ukraine Launches 144 Drones in Attack on Russia, Moscow Reports

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that it intercepted 144 Ukrainian drones during a significant overnight attack that impacted nine regions, including the Moscow area. The ministry characterized this operation as a “terrorist attack using unmanned aerial vehicles.” The breakdown of intercepted drones included 72 in the Bryansk region, 14 in Kursk, 13 in Tula, 8 in Belgorod, 7 in Kaluga, 5 in Voronezh, 4 in Lipetsk, and 1 in Oryol.

According to the defense ministry, at least 20 drones flew over Moscow itself. In a tragic event, Andrey Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, reported on Telegram that a 46-year-old woman died in Ramenskoye, southeast of the city, after a drone struck her residential building. This marked the first reported fatality of a Moscow resident from a drone attack attributed to Ukraine.

Following the drone strike, three additional individuals were hospitalized with injuries. Furthermore, 43 residents were relocated to temporary accommodation centers as a precaution. The drone attack inflicted damage on three buildings in the town, affecting a total of 54 apartments.

Operations at three of Moscow’s four major airports were disrupted during the assault. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that debris from a downed drone landed on the runway of Zhukovsky International Airport, located southeast of the capital. Emergency teams were dispatched to address the aftermath of the incident, as detailed by Sobyanin on Telegram.

The mayor also noted that drone fragments fell on a home in Troitsk, southwest of Moscow, though no casualties occurred from this incident.

Ukrainian officials have not yet made any comments regarding the attack. Typically, Kyiv neither confirms nor denies its involvement in strikes on Russian territory, leaving the situation ambiguous.

Alongside these developments, Russia continued its bombardment of Ukraine. Reports from Ukraine’s air force indicated that at least one Iskander-M ballistic missile, one Kh-31P anti-radar missile, and 48 Shahed attack drones were launched into Ukraine overnight.

Moreover, the Ukrainian air force reported shooting down 38 of the launched drones. It was stated that three drones exited Ukrainian airspace, with three others likely lost over Ukrainian territory due to electronic warfare tactics employed during the conflict.

Air raid sirens wailing in Kyiv on Tuesday morning served as a warning to residents of a potential drone strike. Alerts were also active in 13 other regions across Ukraine, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by aerial attacks.

The recent events mark a troubling escalation in the conflict, showcasing the persistent dangers that civilians face and the intricate cat-and-mouse game of drone warfare that has evolved between the two nations.

As tensions rise, both sides appear committed to using sophisticated technology in their military strategies, leading to escalating concerns over civilian safety and the broader repercussions for regional stability.

Source: ABC News