Drone attack in Moscow: Buildings damaged in suspected attack
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Vladimir Putin has reacted after Moscow was attacked with a drone for the first time since the war in Ukraine began.
The Russian president accused Ukraine, which has denied any involvement in the drone attack, of choosing the path to try to “intimidate Russia, Russian citizens and attacks on residential buildings.”
“This is clearly a sign of terrorist activity,” he said.
Drones hit several buildings in Moscow, forcing some people to evacuate their homes after Russia launched its third attack on Kiev in 24 hours.
Two people sought medical attention after the drone attack in the Russian capital, which President Putin has said targeted “civilians”, but none were seriously injured, Mayor Sergei said Sobyanin
Moscow blamed Ukraine for the attack, which came after Russian airstrikes hit Kiev overnight in the third attack on the Ukrainian capital in 24 hours.
One person died and 11 were injured in the attacks in Kiev.
Russia’s defense ministry said on Tuesday that its forces carried out attacks on Ukrainian “decision-making centers” in Ukraine.
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Why Moscow’s drone strikes pose a problem for Putin
Regular Russian attacks on Kiev and other Ukrainian cities are now being met with counter-attacks in the Russian capital.
After 15 months of bellicose rhetoric from Vladimir Putin and assurances that his “special military operation” would not affect them, the conflict has entered a different phase.
But it’s a welcome new element for the Kyivans who now know they can play offense and not just defense, writes James Nixey, director of Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Programme.
“This will boost Ukraine’s morale and bring down Russia’s accordingly,” he adds.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow
(Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov via Reuters)
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 11:03 p.m
Moscow drone strike exposes Russia’s vulnerabilities as more ground comes under fire
A drone strike targeting Moscow on Tuesday exposed glaring gaps in its air defenses and underlined the capital’s vulnerability as more Russian soil comes under attack amid expectations of a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
The attack, which lightly damaged three apartment buildings, angered Russia hawks who criticized President Vladimir Putin and the military brass for failing to protect the Kremlin’s heart of power more than 310 miles from the Line of forehead
Five of the eight drones involved in the attack were shot down, the Ministry of Defense said.
While three others were blocked and forced to deviate from the course.
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 10:02 p.m
Moscow faces full-scale drone strikes as Putin’s war comes home
The Kremlin has hit out at Kiev after Moscow was the target of a large-scale drone attack for the first time since its invasion of Ukraine began.
The incident exposes how far Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine 15 months ago has hit home.
The Russian president called the drone strike a “terrorist attack” and claimed it was in response to what he described as an attack on a Ukrainian command center in recent days, but provided no evidence.
He appeared on state television to denounce the attack, accusing Kiev of trying to “intimidate Russia, Russian citizens” and claiming the attacks targeted “residential buildings.”
Part of an apartment building reportedly damaged by a Ukrainian drone in Moscow, Russia
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 9:23 p.m
Russia Ukraine war at a glance today
Drones have struck both capitals in the Russia-Ukraine war after the conflict reached Moscow.
Vladimir Putin reacted after Moscow was hit with a drone strike for the first time since the war in Ukraine began.
Two have been injured in the Russian capital while one has died in Kiev following daylight attacks in the Ukrainian capital on Monday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the attacks were intended to scare and that Moscow’s air defenses would be strengthened.
Ukraine has denied direct involvement and plans more strikes.
The Russian president accused Ukraine, which has denied any involvement in the drone attack, of choosing the path to try to “intimidate Russia, Russian citizens and attacks on residential buildings.”
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 8:53 p.m
Kiev endures its 16th attack since the beginning of May
Vadym Ivchenko praised Ukraine’s air defense for “doing a great job” in Kiev after Russia refocused on the capital.
The Ukrainian MP said their efforts benefit “everyone in Kyiv,” adding that “for children and women, it’s a very difficult time.”
Kiev’s military administration said Monday’s daytime strike was the 16th attack on the capital since early May.
The administration said: “In this way, the enemy changed tactics.
“After long attacks exclusively at night, it hit a quiet city during the day, when most residents were at work and on the streets.”
One person was hospitalized after the attacks.
Russia has intensified its bombing of the capital of Ukraine
(Global Ukraine Images via Getty)
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 8:23 p.m
Ukrainian politicians take shelter underground during the daylight attack in Kiev
Russia launched 11 ballistic and cruise missiles at Kiev around 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday, according to the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
All the missiles were shot down, the commander said.
Ukrainian lawmaker Vadym Ivchenko said the attack was launched during a two-hour parliamentary plenary session in Kiev.
He added: “When we heard the alarm, MPs and everyone go to the underground basement just to be safe.
“Of course, they choose the time exactly when we have a plenary session of only two hours, and they tried to hit the center of Kiev with missiles.”
The demolition of a residential building in Kiev was impacted by a kamikaze drone on Tuesday
(Global Ukraine Images via Getty)
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 7:49 p.m
Why Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are only likely to increase
This morning’s attack on Moscow, allegedly by a swarm of up to 30 drones, shows how Ukraine is increasingly able and willing to bring the war to the Russian capital.
This is not the first such attack. The Kremlin was hit by drones three weeks ago. Senior Western security officials described to me how they believed an airstrike had been carried out, exposing an embarrassing vulnerability at the heart of Vladimir Putin’s power.
According to his account, four drones, with small explosive charges, were launched from inside a wooded area outside Moscow. One was detected by air defenses and was destroyed. Two reached the target before being shot down, one possibly by rifle fire from the ground.
Our world affairs editor Kim Sengupta has more information on why these attacks are likely to be more common:
Natalie CrockettMay 30, 2023 7:07 p.m
NATO pledges to protect new member Finland amid Arctic maneuvers
NATO countries are in the middle of military maneuvers in the Arctic and pledged on Tuesday to defend their newest member, Finland.
The country is hosting its first joint NATO exercise since becoming the Western alliance’s 31st member in April.
Finland’s membership doubled the length of the border NATO shares with Russia following the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, another neighbor.
Nearly 1,000 allied forces from the United States, Britain and Norway, as well as neighboring Sweden, joined about 6,500 Finnish troops and about 1,000 vehicles for the Northern Forest exercise, the largest land force drill of modern Finland above the arctic circle.
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 6:30 p.m
A wealthy suburb of Moscow where Putin has a house attacked by drones
Moscow has been rarely targeted by drones during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but one politician has told the capital to prepare for “the new reality” of such strikes.
Russian politicians say among the affected areas was the suburb of Rublyovka, where Russian President Vladimir Putin has his official residence, as well as numerous other members of Russia’s political and business elite.
Alexander Khinshtein, a senior member of the Russian parliament from the ruling United Russia bloc, said three drones had been shot down over three villages in Rublyovka, one of which is just a 10-minute drive from Putin’s residence in Novo- Ogaryovo. Russia’s Investigative Committee said the drones had been shot down over the Odintsovsky district, which includes Rublyovka.
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 6:05 p.m
Russian soldiers flee after tank hit by Ukrainian drone
Footage released by Ukraine’s 25th Sycheslav Airborne Brigade on Tuesday, May 30 shows Russian soldiers fleeing after their tank was hit by a Ukrainian attack.
Ukrainian troops said the video was taken in the Luhansk region.
The strike comes as an apartment block in Moscow was damaged after drones struck several buildings on Tuesday morning.
Moscow’s mayor said two people were injured in the early morning attack, and one was hospitalized.
The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukraine targeted Moscow with eight drones. There was no immediate claim of liability.
Russian soldiers flee after tank hit by Ukrainian drone
Footage released by Ukraine’s 25th Sycheslav Airborne Brigade on Tuesday, May 30 shows Russian soldiers fleeing after their tank was hit by a Ukrainian attack. Ukrainian troops said the video was taken in the Luhansk region. The strike comes as an apartment block in Moscow was damaged after drones struck several buildings on Tuesday morning. Moscow’s mayor said two people were injured in the early morning attack, and one was hospitalized. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukraine targeted Moscow with eight drones. There was no immediate claim of liability. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Laura SharmanMay 30, 2023 5:10 p.m
