Russian air defense forces successfully intercepted three drones that were targeting Moscow, confirmed the city’s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. While specific details remain sparse, Sobyanin noted that emergency services are actively addressing the fallen debris.
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To ensure flight safety, Russia’s aviation authority temporarily suspended operations at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports in the Moscow region. Fortunately, it was announced shortly thereafter that services had resumed, highlighting the resilience of the system.
In a broader context, Ukrainian officials reported a wave of drone strikes carried out by Russia across the nation, resulting in the tragic loss of at least four lives in the capital, Kyiv. “Kyiv came under another attack involving UAVs and ballistic missiles overnight,” the State Emergency Service of Ukraine posted on Telegram, underscoring the ongoing turmoil.
The Aftermath of the Attack on Kyiv
Kyiv’s Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed that the attacks had resulted in four fatalities and left 20 others injured, with 16 requiring hospitalization. The shelling ignited multiple fires throughout various districts, affecting a residential building, a civil infrastructure facility, and even a metal hangar. Additionally, train tracks in the Kyiv area sustained damage.
Strikes were also reported in the western city of Lutsk and the Ternopil region. “Today, the enemy conducted the most massive air attack on our region to date. There are multiple strikes,” stated Vyacheslav Negoda, head of Ternopil’s regional military administration. “We have begun extinguishing fires and assessing the damage and its aftermath,” he added, shedding light on the ongoing devastation.
In Lutsk, local authorities reported five injuries from the shelling. Mayor Igor Polishchuk noted the impacts on the community, stating, “We also have numerous broken windows in private homes, several educational institutions, and one damaged government facility,” as he conveyed updates via Telegram.
Meanwhile, in Khmelnytsky, the regional governor reported damage to buildings and vehicles, illustrating the widespread impact of the attacks.
Political Developments
On the political front, Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to respond decisively after a recent drone strike by Ukraine, which resulted in the destruction of nuclear-capable bombers valued in the billions of euros. In response to escalating tensions, he seemed to dismiss the possibility of a ceasefire or direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
President Zelensky, in turn, indicated that Russia has delivered an “ultimatum”, demanding a full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions that Moscow claims to have annexed but still does not completely control.
