Moscow, Russia — Ukraine has reportedly executed a drone attack targeting the Russian capital for the second consecutive night, prompting the temporary closure of all major airports in the city, according to the Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that at least 19 drones were intercepted and destroyed before reaching Moscow, with some debris landing on key highways. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The situation escalated overnight as drone strikes were also reported in Kharkiv and the Kyiv area, according to local officials. Residents in southern Moscow claimed that some windows were shattered due to the drones, as noted by military bloggers. This incident follows a previous night when Russia claimed to have downed 26 Ukrainian drones.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine over three years ago, Kyiv has engaged in drone operations targeting Moscow, with the most significant event occurring in March, resulting in civilian casualties. These recent strikes seem part of Ukraine’s ongoing strategy to disrupt Russian military activities.
In addition to the attacks on Moscow, Ukrainian forces are reportedly making advances into Russia’s Kursk region. The Ukrainian military has claimed success in targeting a drone command unit near the village of Tyotkino. Russian officials acknowledged damage to a transformer station in Rylsk, where two teenagers were injured by shrapnel from an explosion linked to the conflict.
Sources indicate that Russian military bloggers shared unverified reports of Ukrainian forces attempting to breach defenses along the border, with some claiming they have begun operations to clear mines for armored vehicles to pass. These developments underscore the ongoing volatility and intensifying conflict in the region.
On Monday, Ukrainian forces were said to have fired missiles across the border, creating chaos amid the military maneuvers. Ukrainian officials stated that their troops maintain a presence in the Kursk region, an assertion that Moscow has yet to officially contest.
As fighting raged at the borders, local authorities in Sumy, situated approximately 12 kilometers from Tyotkino, urged residents to evacuate two settlements in light of the escalating violence. In August 2024, Ukraine had initiated a surprise incursion into the Kursk area in a bid to establish a buffer zone against Russian advances.
As the conflict persists, the narrative of territorial disputes and military confrontations continues to unfold, painting a grim picture of the ongoing struggles between the two nations. Both sides appear to be preparing for prolonged engagement, with no clear resolution in sight.