Russian Air Defenses Thwart Ukrainian Drone Attack on Moscow, Prompting Authorities to Briefly Close Airport

On Tuesday, Russian air defenses thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow, prompting authorities to briefly close one of the city’s international airports. This attack follows recent similar raids on the Russian capital, and is the first known assault on the Russian capital since an abortive mutiny launched 11 days ago by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Ukraine’s top security official has said that Vladimir Putin’s own generals are working against him in the wake of the attack. According to a Western analysis, Russia has managed to slow Kyiv’s recently launched counteroffensive.

The attack was launched by Prigozhin’s Wagner troops, who approached Moscow in the biggest – though short-lived – challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin in more than two decades of his rule.

The Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow is the latest in a series of escalations between the two countries. Ukraine has been engaged in a conflict with Russia since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula. The conflict has resulted in thousands of casualties and has been characterized by a series of military and political confrontations.

The recent drone attack on Moscow is a reminder of the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, and the potential for further escalation. It is unclear how the two countries will respond to the attack, but it is certain that the conflict between them will continue to be a source of tension in the region.