Moscow accuses Kyiv of drone ‘terrorist attack’
MOSCOW came under repeated drone attack yesterday in what experts billed as a major shift in its war with Ukraine.
At least two people were injured and buildings were damaged in a raid by up to eight unmanned bombers.
Russia described the onslaught as a “terrorist attack”.
Ukraine denied responsibility but the blitz came days after its chief intelligence officer warned of retaliation for airborne strikes on Kyiv.
One woman was killed and several other people injured when Russia bombed the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of yesterday.
Downing Street denied Britishsupplied weapons were used in the Moscow raid.
Natia Seskuria, an expert in Russian security at London’s Royal United Services Institute, said the incident could undermine Vladimir Putin’s domestic support.
Audacious
She told the BBC: “It raises a lot of insecurities despite the propaganda which we know has been working 24/7 to justify the Russian war effort.
“These attacks are impossible to be hidden. We know that after the mobilisations, Russians have not been as enthusiastic as Putin wanted them to be.
“We know Ukraine has pledged to theWest it will not use their weapons on Russia territory. So long as the West remains united, Ukraine will remain committed to this.”
The White House National Security Council said: “We do not support attacks inside of Russia.”
But it noted Russia’s bombardment of Kyiv was the 17th round of strikes this month, “many of which have devastated civilian areas”.
Putin accused Ukraine of trying to frighten Russia by aiming for civilian targets. He added: “Moscow’s air defence system worked satisfactorily, although there is some work to do.”
Russia’s defence ministry accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of a “terrorist attack” but claimed five drones were shot down.
Two people were treated for injuries and some buildings suffered “insignificant damage”.
Although the Kremlin itself came under drone attack this month, yesterday’s raid was more audacious.
It followed last week’s cross-border incursions into the Belgorod region by members of two anti-Putin Russian military groups.
In the run-up to yesterday’s developments, General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, warned Russia would “regret” its aggression. In Kyiv, the woman killed had been on her balcony watching drones when she died.
A high-rise in the same district caught fire. Kyiv officials said two upper floors had been destroyed and residents are feared to be trapped under rubble. In total, 29 out of 31 Shahed drones were destroyed.
Afterwards the streets were littered with burnt-out cars. Resident Valeriya Oreshko said: “You are happy you are alive, but think about what will happen next.”