In a significant escalation of aerial attacks between Moscow and Kyiv, Russian authorities announced the downing of dozens of Ukrainian drones within a few hours, in one of the largest aerial attacks Russia has faced since the start of the war.
* Moscow Under Attack
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that Russian air defenses shot down four drones heading towards the capital.
He confirmed that emergency teams were dealing with the drone crash sites, without disclosing any information about the extent of losses or damages.
Simultaneously, departures were temporarily suspended at Sheremetyevo Airport, one of the capital's largest airports, before operations resumed later.
The Russian Civil Aviation Authority, Rosaviatsiya, explained that this measure was due to restrictions on airspace, in addition to strong winds complicating the situation.
* Intense Attack ... 94 Drones in Hours
The Russian Ministry of Defense later issued a statement revealing a massive toll from the aerial attacks, with 94 Ukrainian drones shot down overnight, including 48 drones in over five hours on Saturday evening, and 45 others in less than six hours.
* Affected Areas and Human Damages
In detailing the attacks, the ministry explained that:
5 drones were shot down near Moscow, including two that were heading directly towards the capital.
17 drones were destroyed over the border region of Bryansk.
11 drones were shot down in the neighboring Oryol region.
In the Belgorod region, four drones hit a bus driver and a man driving a car, injuring them.
* Wide Impact on Air Traffic
The impact of the attack was not limited to the capital alone, as local reports indicated a temporary suspension of takeoffs and landings at other Russian airports, including Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, due to increasing aerial threats to ensure passenger and aircraft safety.
* In the Background ... International Calls for De-escalation
In a related context, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, condemned what he described as the "largest Russian attack on Ukraine," calling for an immediate ceasefire and prioritizing diplomatic solutions.
This new aerial escalation reflects the complexity of the situation on the ground, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war entering a phase of mutual escalation using drones, posing serious shifts in the nature of the conflict and a direct threat to the security of civilians in Russian territory.