Russia has claimed that Ukraine launched a number of drones to hit Moscow in a “terrorist” attack on early Tuesday morning.
Just after 6AM local time on Tuesday, drones attacked prominent neighbourhoods in Moscow, including where Putin and other members of the Russian elite have residences. Early reports from Russian media suggested up to 30 drones were involved. Two people were reported to be injured, with no deaths, and only minor damage to buildings.
Official Russian government sources put the number of drones at eight, with the Defence Ministry claiming that three drones were “suppressed by electronic warfare,” and five being shot down by their surface-to-air missile systems. Some footage shows explosions occurring in the countryside just outside Moscow.
“It is, of course, obvious that this is an attack by the Kiev regime,” said Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin. “And this must be absolutely clearly understood.” Peskov added that there was “no imminent threat to residents of Moscow and the Moscow region either,” and that Putin had no plans to address the country.
🚨BREAKING: Unprecedented Attack On Russian Capital
Moscow's Mayor confirms drones have hit residential buildings in Moscow in the FIRST MAJOR ATTACK on the Russian capital.
The missiles are part of a wider attack on Russian territory by multiple Ukrainian drones, hours after… pic.twitter.com/7JKyDFVHer
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 30, 2023
Just been at the scene of one of the drone impacts in Moscow. “This is just the beginning.” One woman ominously said. But most residents pretty bemused and mildly annoyed about being woken up and evacuated at 6am. pic.twitter.com/teh13Q9Lzu
— Johnny miller (@johnnyjmils) May 30, 2023
BREAKING: Russia is claiming that at least 8 drones have targeted an area in Russia centered around Moscow. Other, unconfirmed reports claim there were up to 32 individual UAVs used in the attempted attack.
This morning, there were multiple explosions being reported. Russia… pic.twitter.com/7R9LW8fHck
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) May 30, 2023
Mykhailo Podolyak, an aide to the President Zelensky, denied that the drones that attacked Moscow belonged to Ukraine, but that they were enjoying seeing the attacks regardless. “Regarding the attacks: of course we are pleased to watch and predict an increase in the number of attacks. But of course we have nothing directly to do with this,” he said.
This is not the first time that drones allegedly belonging to Ukraine have breached the Russian capital. At the start of the month, the Kremlin, which serves as the official residence of the Russian President, was hit by two drones.
In video footage, drones can be seen flying over a part of the building, when an explosion occurs above it. Smoke can be seen rising from the area in further footage. Zelensky totally denied they were behind the attack, with “senior” US officials claiming that they had “no advance knowledge” about it.
KREMLIN DRONE ATTACK
– Russia says two Ukrainian drones attacked Kremlin overnight
– Drones downed with no victims or material damage to the Kremlin
– Moscow says it was a terrorist attack and attempt on Putin's life
– Russia says it reserves right to respond when and how it… pic.twitter.com/loZA6c3Fvd
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) May 3, 2023
