New Delhi: Moscow was targeted by a drone attack on Sunday that damaged two buildings and wounded one person, in the latest escalation of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The Russian defense ministry said it intercepted three Ukrainian drones over the city, using anti-aircraft missiles and electronic warfare. It said one drone was shot down, while two others crashed into a complex of office towers in the Moscow City financial district.
The attack was condemned by the ministry as an “attempted terrorist attack” and a “provocation” by the “Kyiv regime”. It said no casualties were reported among the military or civilians.
However, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that one person was injured by the falling debris and taken to hospital. He also said the facades of two city office towers were slightly damaged.
The attack also forced the temporary closure of Vnukovo Airport, one of the three main airports serving Moscow, due to security reasons.
This was not the first time that Moscow was hit by drones allegedly launched by Ukraine. On 3 May, two explosive drones targeted the Kremlin, the seat of power of President Vladimir Putin, who was not present at the time. The drones were also shot down and no one was injured.
The drone attacks are part of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which erupted in February 2022 when Russia invaded its neighbor, claiming to protect Russian-speaking minorities. Since then, thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced in the fighting.
Ukraine has denied any involvement in the drone attacks on Moscow and accused Russia of spreading false information to justify its aggression. Ukraine has also said it has been defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity from Russian occupation.
The war has also drawn international condemnation and sanctions against Russia from the United States and its NATO allies, who have accused Moscow of violating international law and human rights. The US and NATO have also provided military aid and training to Ukraine to help it resist Russian forces.
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that “war” was coming to Russia after three Ukrainian drones were downed over Moscow. He said Ukraine was ready to defend itself and urged the international community to support its cause.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, Ukrainian authorities said at least one civilian was killed and five others wounded in a Russian missile attack on the northeastern city of Sumy on Saturday night. They said a missile hit an educational institution, causing an explosion and a fire.
