Ukraine war comes to Moscow as drones strike both capitals By Reuters

By Man Faulconbridge and Pavel Polityuk

MOSCOW/KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian drones struck Moscow on Tuesday, Russia stated in what one politician known as the worst such assault since World Warfare Two, whereas Kyiv was additionally hit by air for the third time in 24 hours.

Since Russia despatched troops into its neighbour in February final yr, the conflict has largely been fought inside Ukraine, although Moscow has reported some assaults on its territory and stated one was an assassination try towards President Vladimir Putin.

Tuesday’s early morning raid focused a few of Moscow’s wealthiest areas together with a western zone the place Putin and the elite have residences. He was later within the Kremlin and obtained a briefing on the assault, a spokesman stated.

Russia’s defence ministry stated eight drones despatched by Kyiv have been shot down or diverted, although Baza, a Telegram channel with hyperlinks to the safety companies, stated greater than 25 have been concerned.

Two individuals have been injured whereas some condo blocks have been briefly evacuated, in line with Moscow’s mayor. Residents stated they heard loud bangs adopted by the odor of petrol. Some filmed a drone being shot down and a plume of smoke.

Lawmaker Maxim Ivanov known as it probably the most critical assault on Moscow for the reason that Nazis, saying no citizen may now keep away from “the brand new actuality”. “You’ll both defeat the enemy as a single fist with our Motherland, or the indelible disgrace of cowardice, collaboration and betrayal will engulf your loved ones,” he stated.

Earlier this month, two drones exploded over the Kremlin in an assault Russia additionally blamed on Kyiv and stated was geared toward Putin.

“The sabotage and terrorist assaults of Ukraine will solely improve,” stated one other Russian lawmaker, Alexander Khinshtein, who known as for a radical strengthening of defences.

Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak denied Kyiv was straight concerned in focusing on Moscow on Tuesday, although he stated “we’re happy to observe” and forecast extra to return.

At a messy stalemate for many of 2023 with Russian troops occupying some japanese Ukrainian areas, the conflict has killed tens of hundreds, uprooted tens of millions, lowered cities to ruins and brought on havoc within the international financial system.

KYIV HIGH-RISE HIT

Kyiv stated 4 individuals died round Ukraine in Russia’s newest assaults on Tuesday, with 34 wounded together with two kids.

“Russia is making an attempt to interrupt us and break our will. To deprive peaceable residents of sleep and stop us, the safety and defence sector, from getting ready to implement essential duties,” stated Ukraine’s Inside Minister Ihor Klymenko.

Within the capital, Ukrainian defence forces stated they shot down greater than 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones.

One particular person died and 4 have been injured when particles from a destroyed Russian projectile hit a Kyiv high-rise condo constructing inflicting a fireplace, officers stated. Two higher flooring have been destroyed with individuals probably nonetheless beneath rubble.

Flames engulfed the highest of the constructing.

Russia has attacked Kyiv 17 occasions in Might with drones or missiles, principally at evening, in an obvious try and undermine Ukrainians’ will to battle after greater than 15 months of conflict.

However Ukraine says U.S.-supplied Patriot anti-missile defences are attaining a 100% interception price.

Kyiv is promising a counter-offensive backed with Western weapons to attempt to drive Russian occupiers from territory seized in Moscow’s self-styled “particular navy operation” to “denazify” its neighbour and defend Russian audio system.

Western opponents name it an imperialist land seize.

With Putin wished by the Worldwide Felony Courtroom to face conflict crimes prices, there was hypothesis over his doable attendance at an August summit in South Africa the place authorities would theoretically be obliged to arrest him.

Requested about that, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Russia would take part within the BRICS nations’ assembly at “the right stage”, with additional particulars to be introduced. The group includes China, Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa.