Russia has claimed it has shot down and intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones over Moscow in what it described as a “terrorist attack”.
Four of the drones were destroyed by air defences and the fifth was intercepted and fell, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.
There were no casualties or damage as result of the “terrorist attack”, it said.
Ukraine war latest: Russia’s ‘new tactic’ against counteroffensive
At least three drones were intercepted in the skies over the Moscow region – including two just 30km (19 miles) southwest of the Kremlin.
One drone was detected in the neighbouring region of Kaluga, and another was shot down in the town of Kubinka, according to Russian new agency RIA.
A fifth drone jammed and crashed in the Odintsovo district, a suburb to the west of Moscow.
Putin ‘mistakes’ giving US ‘once-in-a-generation’ chance to recruit spies – and CIA boss says ‘we’re not letting it go to waste’
Vladimir Putin has offered his Wagner fighters three choices – but he can’t afford to lose them from the Ukraine war
Ukraine charges Russian politician with war crimes over alleged deportation of orphans from Kherson
A number of outbound and incoming flights were disrupted at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, news agencies reported.
Flights from Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt were diverted to other airports in the city.
“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.
“The international community should realise that the United States, Britain, France – permanent members of the UN Security Council – are financing a terrorist regime.”
There was no immediate comment from Kyiv.
The claims come after Moscow blamed Ukraine for another drone attack on the capital back in May.
Russia’s defence ministry said eight drones were involved in the “terrorist” action and that all were shot down – with three diverted due to “electronic warfare”.
Speaking on TV at the time, President Vladimir Putin claimed the attack was aimed at “civilian targets” and promised to improve air defences.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Meanwhile, Russia has continued its missile and drone attacks in Ukraine.
Three people were confirmed dead and 21 others were injured following a drone strike in the northeastern city of Sumy that damaged two apartment buildings on Monday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack also damaged the regional headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine, the country’s main intelligence agency.
He urged Western allies to increase supplies of air defence systems to help fend off Russian raids.
