Russian authorities said on Wednesday (August 21) that Moscow was targeted by Ukrainian drones in the largest attack since the conflict began in 2022, but all drones heading towards the capital were destroyed.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated on his Telegram channel, “This is one of the largest drone attacks in history targeting Moscow.” He mentioned that there is a strong defense system around the capital, resulting in the drones being intercepted before reaching their intended targets.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Russia shot down 45 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 11 of them flying over the Moscow region. Russia’s aviation oversight agency Rosaviatsiya reported through TASS that Moscow’s airports resumed normal operations after brief restrictions were imposed at night.
Several Russian social media channels shared videos showing drones being intercepted and destroyed by air defense systems, triggering car alarms in the process.
The governor of the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, Alexander Bogomaz, reported a “massive” attack on the region, with all 23 drones being destroyed.
As Ukrainian drones launched a large-scale attack on Moscow, Russian President Putin made his first visit to Chechnya in 13 years to inspect local military and volunteer forces preparing to engage in the war against Ukraine.
CNBC reported that this invasion further reduces the possibility of diplomatic resolution. Russia previously stated that participating in talks hinged on retaining control over four pieces of Ukrainian territory it illegally annexed since the invasion, while Ukraine reiterated its stance of not relinquishing any territory.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that Moscow is now unlikely to fall into a “negotiation trap” after the attack on the Kursk region in Ukraine.
Amid the drone attacks, Ukrainian forces continued to advance towards the Kursk region of western Russia.
The Institute for the Study of War in Washington reported progress in the Ukrainian military’s offensive in the Kursk region, which has now entered its third week.
Ukraine’s bold invasion of Russia has surprised many with its success, significantly boosting Ukrainian morale and altering the battlefield dynamics. However, it has also opened up another front in the already strained conflict.
While Ukraine made progress in Kursk, it continues to lose territory in the eastern industrial hub of Donbas.
Ukraine launched attacks on three bridges over the Seym River in Kursk, located in areas beyond Ukrainian control. This move could potentially trap Russian forces between the river, Ukrainian advances, and the Ukrainian border, slowing down Russia’s response to the sudden Kursk incursion.
Satellite images analyzed by Planet Labs PBC on Wednesday show fires near the village of Krasnooktyabrskoe on the Seym River.
Meanwhile, Ukraine faced another round of intense airstrikes from Russia. According to the latest reports from the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 69 drones overnight, with 50 being successfully shot down.