Ukraine war: Three drones intercepted ‘heading for Moscow’ – Russia accuses Kyiv of ‘terrorist attack’

Russia has claimed it has shot down and intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones over Moscow in what it described as a “terrorist attack”.

Four of the drones were destroyed by air defences and the fifth was intercepted and fell, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

There were no casualties or damage as result of the “terrorist attack”, it said.

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At least three drones were intercepted in the skies over the Moscow region – including two just 30km (19 miles) southwest of the Kremlin.

One drone was detected in the neighbouring region of Kaluga, and another was shot down in the town of Kubinka, according to Russian news agency RIA.

A fifth drone jammed and crashed in the Odintsovo district, a suburb to the west of Moscow.

As a result, a number of outbound and incoming flights were disrupted at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, news agencies reported.

Flights from Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt were diverted to other airports in the city.

“The Kyiv regime’s attempt to attack an area where civilian infrastructure is located, including the airport, which incidentally also receives foreign flights, is yet another act of terrorism,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“The international community should realise that the United States, Britain, France – permanent members of the UN Security Council – are financing a terrorist regime.”

There was no immediate comment from Kyiv.

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Moscow also blamed Ukraine for another drone attack on the capital back in May.

Russia’s defence ministry said eight drones were involved in the “terrorist” action and that all were shot down – with three diverted due to “electronic warfare”.

Speaking on TV at the time, President Vladimir Putin claimed the attack was aimed at “civilian targets” and promised to improve air defences.

Russian people more united than ever

The alleged assault is the first on the Russian capital since the armed rebellion by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin on 24 June.

In the biggest challenge to President Putin’s two-decade rule, Wagner troops marched towards Moscow, demanding the sacking of Russia’s military leadership, accusing them of botching the war in Ukraine.

The mutiny ended following a Belarus-brokered deal between the Kremlin and the Wagner boss.

On Tuesday, President Putin thanked members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for their “supporting actions to protect Russia’s constitutional order” during the Wagner rebellion, according to Russian state news agency RIA.

Speaking at a virtual conference of the security group – which was founded by Russia and China and includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – President Putin told Asian leaders that the Russian people were more united than ever.

“The Russian people are consolidated as never before,” he said.

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“Russian political circles and the whole of society clearly demonstrated their unity and elevated sense of responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland when they responded as a united front against an attempted armed mutiny.”

He said Moscow planned to boost ties with the SCO and that Russia will stand up against Western sanctions and “provocations”.

Meanwhile, Russia has continued its missile and drone attacks in Ukraine.

Three people were confirmed dead and 21 others were injured following a drone strike in the northeastern city of Sumy that damaged two apartment buildings on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack also damaged the regional headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine, the country’s main intelligence agency.

He urged Western allies to increase supplies of air defence systems to help fend off Russian raids.