The Russian defense ministry has reported that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on Moscow, resulting in flight diversions from Vnukovo International Airport, one of Moscow’s major international airports’.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, involved five drones targeting various locations in the capital region.
According to the defense ministry, all the drones were successfully shot down, and there were no casualties or damages. Ukraine has not taken responsibility for the alleged attack.
Following the incident, restrictions at Vnukovo airport have been lifted. Flights from Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt were among those affected. The defense ministry stated that four of the drones were intercepted by air defense systems in the Moscow region, while the fifth was electronically intercepted before crashing.
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, referred to the attack as a “new terrorist act” and condemned Ukraine for targeting an area with civilian infrastructure, including an airport that handles international flights. State media reported that one of the drones crashed in the town of Kubinka, approximately 36km (22 miles) southwest of Vnukovo airport, while another was shot down near the village of Valuevo, also in proximity to the airport.
The BBC is currently attempting to independently verify the information regarding the incident. This is not the first drone attack on Moscow, as a similar incident occurred in May, resulting in minor damage. It marked the first time the city had been targeted by multiple drones since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which was followed by Moscow accusing Kyiv of a drone attack on the Kremlin. Ukraine denied responsibility for both incidents.
The drone attack on Tuesday occurred amidst Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensive against Russia. However, the counter-offensive has not yet gained the desired speed and momentum, as acknowledged by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who previously expressed frustration over the slow progress. In a separate incident, the death toll from a Russian drone attack on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Monday has risen to three, with several others injured, according to the local mayor.