Russia claims it downed Ukrainian drone attempting attack over Moscow

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russia early Thursday claimed that it shot down a Ukrainian drone attempting an attack over the country’s Moscow region.

“On the morning of August 31, another terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime was thwarted using an aircraft-type UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) against facilities in the Russian Federation,” said a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry.

The statement said the drone was shot down by air defense systems over Moscow’s Voskresensky district.

Moscow’s Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said in a statement on Telegram that there were no casualties or damage due to the attack, adding that emergency services are on the scene.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the attack, and independent verification of Russia’s claim is difficult due to the ongoing war.

Drone strikes inside Russia have dramatically increased in recent months, with authorities accusing Ukraine of being behind them.

Although Kyiv has not claimed responsibility, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in July the attacks on Russian territory were an “inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process.”