Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow early Wednesday, August 21, as part of its ongoing counter-offensive against Russian targets. Russian authorities reported that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 11 drones targeting the capital and its surrounding areas, including Podolsk, a city located 38 kilometers south of the Kremlin. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the attack as one of the largest attempts to strike the city since the conflict began in 2022, emphasizing that no casualties or significant damage occurred.
The drone assault on Moscow was part of a broader coordinated offensive across several Russian regions. Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that a total of 45 drones were launched by Ukrainian forces, with additional strikes occurring in the Bryansk, Belgorod, Kaluga, and Kursk regions. Russian air defenses supposedly managed to neutralize all incoming threats.Â
No longer just foreign atrocity theater to pacify the masses, Putin’s war has reached Moscow.
“One of the largest attempts to attack Moscow with drones ever” – Mayor of Moscow pic.twitter.com/IW8WkztOOY
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) August 21, 2024
Ukraine has not officially commented on the drone strikes targeting Moscow but continues to emphasize its strategy of extending military operations into Russian territory. The recent increase in Ukrainian attacks, including a cross-border incursion into the Kursk and Belgorod regions, indicates a shift in Kyiv’s approach as it seeks to apply pressure on Moscow and disrupt supply lines. The escalation also raises concerns about the potential for further instability in the region, with Russian leaders increasingly ruling out negotiations until they achieve a decisive military victory.
The attack coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Chechnya, where he inspected troops preparing to deploy to the Ukrainian front.Â
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