Dead and injured near Moscow

Ukraine war

Ukrainian drone attack: dead and injured near Moscow

In Ukraine, President Zelensky has threatened retaliation after Russia’s airstrikes. The answer hit Moscow and the capital region in particular – with one of the most serious counterattacks.

According to Russian authorities, at least three people were killed in massive Ukrainian counterattacks with more than 100 drones near Moscow. Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov also said five people were injured after numerous residential buildings were damaged in the attacks.

In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported twelve people were injured in the attack on an oil refinery. Construction workers near the plant were hit; the plant itself is still technically intact.

The capital region actually boasts of having the best and densest anti-aircraft defenses in Russia. There have been hits in the past. The capital’s media are now reporting on one of the most violent Ukrainian attacks since the Russian invasion began more than four years ago – and the largest since the beginning of the year.

Russians are increasingly seeing how the war against Ukraine ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is backfiring on them. “All the injured will receive the necessary medical assistance. We will definitely help the families of the deceased and injured,” Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram.

Travelers were stuck at the capital’s airports for hours because there were temporarily no take-offs and landings due to the drone threat. Dozens of flights were canceled, delayed or diverted to other airports.

Kyiv is defending itself against Putin’s war with these counterattacks. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed this morning to have shot down 586 drones in various regions. That would be an above-average number. This information cannot be independently verified. In Moscow alone, Mayor Sobyanin reported on his Telegram channel that more than 120 flying objects had been shot down.

In Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine, a man in a truck died when the vehicle was hit by a drone, according to local media. There was initially no official confirmation from the authorities.

The numbers of dead and injured civilians and damage on the Russian side are disproportionate to the many times higher losses and massive destruction in Ukraine caused by Moscow’s devastating war of aggression.

President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously threatened retaliation in Ukraine after the deadly Russian attacks. In the past week alone, the Russians used over 3,170 aircraft-like drones, more than 1,300 glide bombs and 74 rockets and cruise missiles against Ukraine.

“Unfortunately, 52 people lost their lives as a result of the attacks during the week,” he said on his Telegram channel this morning. Another 346 people were injured, including 22 children.

“Our people need more protection, and everything that supports Ukrainian air defense ultimately helps save lives,” he said. Ukraine needs more protection against ballistic missiles – and stronger support from its allies. The Ukrainian air defense reported in the morning that Russia had attacked with almost 300 drones and 279 had been neutralized.