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Ukraine has launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia, targeting various locations including Moscow.
What’s the deal: Russian air defenses shot down a total of 45 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of Ukraine’s largest drone offensives to date. Among the targets, 11 drones were aimed at Moscow and nearby areas, including Podolsk. This represents a significant escalation in Ukraine’s drone warfare, surpassing a similar large-scale assault in May 2023 when eight drones were intercepted.
What Russia is saying: Russian authorities reported intercepting drones in several regions, including Podolsk, 38 kilometers south of the Kremlin. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that 23 drones were shot down in Bryansk, 6 in Belgorod, 3 in Kaluga, 2 in Tula (Moscow), and 2 in Kursk. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the attack as “one of the largest ever attempts to attack Moscow with drones,” adding that there were no reports of damage or casualties.
🇷🇺 Moscow under drone assault: Russian officials reported 10 drones targeting the capital, with eight intercepted near Podolsk, 35 km away. As is customary, all threats were neutralized. 😉 #Russia #Moscow #Drones pic.twitter.com/4xPQgOOkzO
— Popsicle Protector OSNIT (@PopsicleProtect) August 21, 2024
Digging Deeper: The recent surge in Ukrainian drone attacks marks a significant escalation in the conflict, coinciding with Ukraine’s military push into the Kursk region. As Ukrainian forces maintain control over 93 settlements in Kursk, Russia has begun deploying waves of military personnel to push back Ukrainian forces back to the border.
Something you should know: The increase in drone attacks coincides with growing pressure on the United States to allow Ukrainian forces to use longer-range weapons. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers are begining to debate whether to authorize systems that could enable Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia. Supporters argue these weapons are essential to counter Russia’s aggression and strengthen Ukraine’s deterrent. At the same time, opponents warn of potential escalation and the risk of drawing the US and NATO into a direct conflict with Russia.
