On Sunday, Russian authorities reported that a massive drone attack had struck Moscow and its environs, killing two people and injuring others. The attack caused damage to residential buildings and facilities, including a Moscow oil refinery. Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, stated that air defense forces had destroyed 152 drones heading towards the capital, with interception operations continuing throughout the night.
The drone attack led to disruptions in air traffic in the capital. According to the Tass agency, citing representatives from Moscow's airports, over 30 flights were unable to land at their designated airports due to security restrictions imposed during the attack. Reports indicated that around 25 planes bound for Sheremetyevo airport were redirected to alternative airports, including St. Petersburg and Kazan.
In the Moscow region, Governor Andrei Vorobyov reported that air defense and electronic warfare systems had intercepted or destroyed 249 drones. The attacks resulted in the deaths of an elderly man in Orekhovo-Zuyevo and a woman in Sofrino, as well as injuries to five others, including two children. An additional injury was reported in the Leninsky district.
In Moscow, Mayor Sobyanin announced that a drone had struck a building near Orekhovy Street, while a facility belonging to the Moscow oil refinery sustained damage, with no initial reports of injuries. In Ramenskoye, a 21-story residential building caught fire after being hit by a drone, prompting the evacuation of around 400 people, with 20 vehicles also damaged.
The attack also led to a fire in a warehouse complex in Sofrino, with eight firefighting teams deployed to control the blaze. Additionally, damage was reported to a residential building and industrial facility in Istra, as well as in Voskresensk. Moscow's mayor had previously announced on Saturday that 186 drones had been intercepted approaching the city between September 12 and 19.
According to Sobyanin, over 2000 drones had been heading towards the Moscow region during the same period, with most being intercepted at distances further away from the capital. The recent drone attacks have raised concerns about the security situation in the region.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, with the situation being closely monitored by authorities. The full extent of the damage and the impact on air traffic and local residents are still being assessed.
Key points
- Two people were killed and several others injured in the drone attack on Moscow and surrounding areas.
- The attack caused significant disruptions to air traffic, with over 30 flights unable to land at their designated airports.
- A total of 249 drones were intercepted or destroyed in the Moscow region during the attack.
