Russia terms Ukraine drone 'attacks on Moscow' as 'terrorism'

As the fighting between the two countries intensifies with hundreds dead on both sides, Russian officials said Tuesday that Kyiv conducted an “act of terrorism” by attacking Moscow with at least five drones, disrupting the country’s air traffic for hours after they were downed by the air defences.

According to the Russian defence ministry, four of the five drones were shot down by the forces with a fifth was jammed and crashed into the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region.

There were no reported injuries or damages.

The Russian media reported that two drones were intercepted near a village 30 km (19 miles) southwest of the Kremlin. One drone was detected in the neighbouring Kaluga region.

Landings and takeoffs at Moscow's Vnukovo were restricted for several hours early on Tuesday before normal operations resumed after 0500 GMT. A number of flights from Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt were diverted.

One drone was shot down in the area of the town of Kubinka, some 63 km (40 miles) west of Moscow, RIA reported. A Russian air base is near Kubinka.

"The Kyiv regime's attempt to attack an area where civilian infrastructure is located, including the airport, which incidentally also receives foreign flights, is yet another act of terrorism," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

It is not the first time since the Russian capital has become under attack including its oil infrastructure. In May, Russia's defence ministry said at least eight drones caused minor damage.

However, for the first, Moscow has been attacked by the Ukrainian forces using drones since the Russian special military operation commenced in Ukraine on February 2022.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths due to a Russian drone attack on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy Monday increased to three, said the local mayor, leaving injured.

"The international community should realise that the United States, Britain, France — permanent members of the UN Security Council — are financing a terrorist regime," she said.

After May's drone attack on the capital, President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine was trying to scare and provoke Russia, adding “that the capital's air defences would be strengthened”.

"At this moment, the attacks have been repelled by air defence forces," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on his Telegram messaging channel. "All detected drones have been eliminated."