Ukraine Fires Over 400 Drones Toward Moscow Amid Escalating Conflict
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, with Ukraine launching over 400 drones toward Moscow in a major attack on the Russian capital. According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, the drones were sent from late Sunday until early Monday, with most being downed far from the capital and 85 intercepted near Moscow.
The attack comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy grapples with protests over the government reshuffle, which exposed a deep split between the military’s old guard and young innovators over how to fight the war. Zelenskyy needs to reassure Ukrainians that sacrificing 35-year-old Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister and keeping faith with 60-year-old Soviet-trained Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi as armed forces chief won’t derail the fight against Russia.
Days of street protests in favor of Fedorov and against Syrskyi followed Zelenskyy’s decision. The protests have put pressure on Zelenskyy to address the concerns of the Ukrainian people, who are worried about the impact of the government reshuffle on the war effort.
The attack on Moscow also caused significant damage, with 10 people wounded by Ukrainian drones and several residential buildings and civilian infrastructure facilities damaged. The Astra news outlet reported that the assault caused a fire at an oil depot in Podolsk, about 20 kilometers south of Moscow, although there was no official confirmation of the strike.
The use of drones by Ukraine has become a significant problem for Russia, whose huge land mass is hard to fully protect. Ukraine’s long-range drone technology has swiftly evolved during the war, posing a challenge for Russia’s air defenses. Kyiv’s forces have aimed especially at Russian oil facilities, causing fuel shortages and embarrassing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces struck fuel tanks in the southern Ukrainian port of Odesa overnight, while Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired two missiles and 94 long-range strike drones at the territory of Ukraine overnight. Air defenses jammed or intercepted 81 drones, while nine drones and a missile caused damage at nine locations.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for over 4 years, with both sides engaging in a cycle of tit-for-tat strikes. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, noted that Russia has launched more ballistic missiles against Ukraine in July than it reportedly produces each month. This suggests that Russia is dipping into its stockpiles to continue increasing the number of ballistic missiles it launches against Ukraine.
The use of ballistic missiles by Russia has a higher success rate than drones and cruise missiles, making it a more effective way to attack Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces struck fuel tanks in the southern Ukrainian port of Odesa overnight, while Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired two missiles and 94 long-range strike drones at the territory of Ukraine overnight.
