Moscow's Air Defense Forces Intercepted and Shot Down 19 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Flying Toward the Capital City, Revealed by Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin
Breaking News: Moscow on High Alert as Multiple Drone Attacks Occur
Here's the lowdown on the latest developments:
At 01:16 Moscow time, mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced the destruction of five drones, with one piece falling on the Kashirskoe highway. Emergency services quickly responded, and no serious damage or casualties were reported, as per preliminary information.
Got more coming your way! At 01:43 Moscow time, another drone bit the dust, with three following suit at 01:57. Air defense forces then annihilated 10 drones heading towards Moscow from various directions at 02:17 Moscow time. Once again, no damage or casualties were reported at the crash sites.
Alright, let's shift our focus to the airports. Thanks to Rosaviatsiya, we know that overnight on May 6, temporary restrictions on incoming and outgoing flights were imposed in "Sheremetyevo", "Vnukovo", "Domodedovo", and "Zhukovsky" airports. The first two airports resumed operations at 03:39 Moscow time, with the others returning to normal at 05:03 Moscow time. In the bustle, 34 planes bound for airports within the Moscow region were diverted to alternative airfields.
The run-down doesn't end there. Airports in Kaluga, Volgograd, Saratov, Samara, Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod, Yaroslavl, Kazan, and Nizhnekamsk also faced temporary restrictions.
If you're wondering where these pesky drones could have come from, look no further than the Russian Ministry of Defense. They reported a whopping 105 Ukrainian drones were downed or intercepted over Russian regions overnight, with a notable 19 of those targeting the Moscow territory. The air defense forces also took out drones over Bryansk (32), Voronezh (22), Penza (10), Kaluga (9), Belgorod (6), Lipetsk (2), and Samara (2) regions, along with one each in Vladimir, Kursk, and Rostov regions.
Now, you might be curious to know what's behind the escalation of these drone attacks. Here's the skinny:
- Conflict Escalation: The recent wave of drone attacks forms part of a broader escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine has been employing drones to assault Russian territories, especially Moscow, prompting retaliatory actions from the Russian military.
- Strategic Play: These drone attacks could be part of a strategic maneuver by Ukraine to impede Russian military operations and test its defenses amidst significant events like Victory Day celebrations.
- Defensive Measures: Russia's air defense forces have been busy engaging and taking down drones. The Russian Ministry of Defense declared the interception of 105 drones across various regions, showcasing Russia's defense efforts against these attacks.
- Tense Political Climate: The surge in drone attacks occurs ahead of a proposed three-day ceasefire by Russia, which Ukraine has denounced, while also insisting on a more extended ceasefire period. The political backdrop adds tension, fueling the heightened military activity.
So, there you have it! A wild ride through the skies of Moscow and the Russian provinces. Remember, for more updates, keep an eye on our Telegram channel, @expert_mag.
- The drones involved in the recent attacks on Moscow were reportedly downed or intercepted over other Russian regions as well, including Voronezh, where 22 drones were taken out according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
- The string of drone attacks in Moscow might not be an isolated incident, as multiple airports across Russia, such as those in Kaluga, Volgograd, and Nizhnekamsk, faced temporary restrictions due to suspected drone activities.
- Overnight on May 6, UAVs were also reportedly used in targeted attacks on various airports in Russia, causing temporary disruptions in flights from airports like Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky.
- The rise in drone attacks over Moscow and other Russian territories coincides with a tense political climate, as conflicts between Ukraine and Russia continue and both countries prepare for significant events like Victory Day celebrations.
