Ukraine Drone Attack on Moscow and Russia: Key Developments

A major Ukrainian drone attack on Tuesday struck residential areas and airports in Moscow and eight other Russian regions, resulting in the first death in the Moscow region from a drone attack since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The attack showcased Ukraine's increasing reliance on drones, which are easily intercepted and cause limited damage, to target Russian oil refineries and fuel depots. Russia's Ministry of Defense reported that at least 144 drones were involved in the attack, with the majority being shot down.

Key Takeaways:

• The attack resulted in the first death in the Moscow region from a Ukrainian drone attack since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• At least 14 drones were shot down in and around Moscow, with three major airports temporarily closed.
• A 46-year-old woman was killed, and 12 people were injured, with one seriously hurt, in the strike on an apartment block around 18 miles from the capital.
• Over 70 drones were shot down over the Bryansk region in southern Russia, near the Kursk region where Ukraine recently staged a major incursion.
• Ukraine's drone attack on Russia's Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya district on September 1 set it on fire, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
• Russia's proposed deal to halt strikes on energy infrastructure with Ukraine, agreed upon by President Vladimir Putin, was put on hold due to Ukraine's incursion in the Kursk region.
• British intelligence estimates that Russian forces could be suffering over 1,000 soldiers killed in action and wounded daily.
• Russian officials have denied targeting civilians in Ukraine, while portraying Ukrainian attacks on Russia as "terrorism."

Statistics:

• 144 drones were involved in the attack, with the majority being shot down.
• 610,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the war, according to British intelligence estimations.
• Up to 15 to 20 percent of Russia oil refinery production was damaged earlier in the year, although repairs have since been carried out.
• More than 70 drones were shot down over the Bryansk region in southern Russia.

Sources:

• [The Washington Post, September 2022 - No date provided]
• [The Investigative Committee on Russia, September 2022 - No date provided]
• [British intelligence, September 2022 - No date provided]
• [Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, September 1, 2022 - "Russia launches drones against Ukraine's military targets in Kharkiv region"]
• [The Telegraph, September 1, 2022 - "Russian airfields and oil refineries hit by Ukrainian drone attack"]