Biggest attack since the beginning of the war
Six Russian regions report drone strikes
8/30/2023 10:26 am
Drone attacks are reported in several Russian cities at night. The attacks target important infrastructural facilities. Russia responded with attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
Russia has experienced what is arguably the largest drone strike on Russian soil since invading Ukraine. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian drones have attacked several Russian regions. An airport in the western Pskov region was hit. The drones are said to have been shot down over the Moscow, Oryol, Bryansk, Ryazan and Kaluga regions.
The hit in Pskov caused a major fire. Four Il-78 transport planes were damaged, the Russian state news agency TASS reported. The governor of the Pskov region ordered all flights to and from the airport to be canceled because the damage would only be assessed in daylight. There were no injuries, the fire had been contained. Videos and pictures were published on social media showing plumes of smoke over the city of Pskov and a large fire.
The drones in the other Russian areas are also said to have targeted important infrastructural facilities. In Bryansk According to Russian information, the unmanned missiles are about to be launched at a TV station building headed for. On the other hand, another drone in the region sparked a fire at the factory premises of Kremniy EL, one of the largest microelectronics companies in Russia, which according to Russian media reports produces Iskander missiles.
In Kaluga a drone crashed. Another hit an oil tank and caused a fire that was quickly put out, regional governor Vladislav Shapsha said. In addition, window panes of residential buildings were broken, said Schapscha. In the regions Oryol and Ryazan According to TASS, two drones are said to have been shot down.
“Mutual Air Warfare”
A drone is on its way to Moscow been, but was according to Russian information intercepted over the Russky district of the Moscow region. As a result, Moscow airports were briefly closed for arrivals and departures. All restrictions have now been lifted.
The media also reported, citing eyewitnesses, explosions in the area of an industrial plant in the Tula region south of Moscow, which is known for its defense industry. So far, however, there has been no official confirmation of a drone attack in the area.
Former NATO official Edward Hunter-Christie wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on the night’s attacks, saying they prove that “air warfare is now truly mutual”. The thought is extraordinary. “Russia has lost the initiative and the ability to influence events in all areas.” Ukraine is gaining in both areas.
According to Russian information, Ukrainian forces also attacked the Bay of Sevastopol on the Black Sea with naval drones on Wednesday night. The Russian military is in combat readiness and is fending off the attack, wrote Moscow-appointed governor of the port city of Sevastopol in Crimea, Mikhail Rasvoschajew.
The Kremlin also responded to the attacks on Russian soil with drones – and with rocket fire in Ukrainian regions. Advisor to the Ukrainian President Mykhailo Podoliak strongly condemned the attacks. The combined attack of cruise missiles and Shahed drones on Kiev is undoubtedly a targeted attack on the civilian population. “The motive: revenge for the increasing casualties in the Russian Federation itself; failures on the front line; ethnic hatred and attempts at psychological intimidation.”