Ukrainian drones launched an attack on Moscow City, the financial and business district of the Russian capital, on Sunday morning, causing minor damage to office buildings, according to Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported.
The Russian Defense Ministry released a statement confirming that three drones took part in the attack. While one drone was destroyed mid-air outside Moscow, the other two were disabled by air defenses and crashed in a non-residential complex within Moscow City.
Emergency services reported an explosion between the fifth and sixth floors of a 50-story building in the ‘IQ Quarter’ complex. The complex houses the offices of several government agencies, including the ministries of trade, economy, and telecommunications. Another explosion occurred at the OKO II building, which contains offices and shops. Windows were shattered between the first and fourth floors, and a security guard was injured.
In response to the incident, the damaged buildings were evacuated, and evacuations from other Moscow City buildings were also initiated. The police and firefighters arrived at the scene to assess the situation and provide assistance.
As a precautionary measure, all flights to and from Vnukovo airport, located southwest of Moscow, were briefly suspended. However, the other two airports in Moscow, Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo, continued to operate as usual.
Moscow City, officially known as the Moscow International Business Center, is renowned for its towering skyscrapers that house a mix of luxury apartments and office spaces. Among the notable complexes are Federation and OKO, which boast Europe’s second and third tallest buildings, respectively.
This attack is part of a series of drone attacks carried out by Ukraine on the Russian capital in recent weeks. Although the drones were either destroyed or disabled, Russia considers these attacks acts of terrorism.
The situation remains under investigation, with security forces working to determine the origin and motive behind the drone attack. Authorities are also taking additional security measures to prevent any future incidents in Moscow City.
As news of the attack spread, social media platforms were inundated with reactions and discussions on the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Citizens and experts expressed their concerns over the implications of such attacks on regional stability and the potential for further escalation. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging both parties to engage in dialogue to defuse tensions and avoid further acts of violence.
The drone attack on Moscow City serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of major cities to unconventional threats. As technology continues to advance, governments worldwide must enhance their defense systems and collaborate on intelligence sharing to effectively counter such attacks.
Source link