Ukraine conducted a massive drone attack on Moscow, marking one of the largest attempts to target the Russian capital. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that they destroyed 45 Ukrainian drones, with 11 of them being over Moscow. However, there were no reported damages or casualties from the attack, and regular operations at airports in the Moscow region resumed after temporary restrictions were lifted. President Putin visited Chechnya during this time to inspect troops and volunteers participating in the war against Kyiv.
In response to Ukraine’s offensive, the country’s air force claimed to have destroyed 50 out of 69 Russian-launched drones overnight, but these reports have not been independently verified. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has primarily involved artillery and drone attacks, with Ukraine recently launching counter-offensives on Russian soil. This shift marks a significant change in the conflict dynamics, as Ukraine has typically focused on targeting Russian airfields and oil facilities instead of directly attacking Moscow.
The counter-offensive has raised concerns about potential impacts on critical infrastructure, such as the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline that transports gas from Siberia through Ukraine to Slovakia. This incursion has also strained the prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, as Russia has previously insisted on retaining control of Ukrainian territories it has annexed. Ukraine, on the other hand, has stood firm in rejecting any concessions of territory.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has urged against engaging in negotiations until the enemy is completely defeated, indicating that Moscow is unlikely to participate in talks following Ukraine’s attack on the Kursk region. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has continued to escalate, with both sides exchanging drone attacks and military offensives. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further violence and clashes between the two nations. It is unclear how the conflict will unfold in the coming days and weeks, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
