Moscow experienced a significant drone attack on Tuesday, causing damage to several buildings. The Russian military claims that Ukraine orchestrated the assault, labeling it a “terrorist drone attack.”
However, Ukrainian authorities vehemently deny any involvement in the strikes.
According to official reports, a total of eight drones were deployed during the assault on Moscow. Russian defense systems managed to shoot down five of them, while three others were neutralized using signal jamming technology, leading them to lose control and miss their intended targets.
BBC Verify, utilizing video footage analysis, has verified the location of three drone strikes in the southwestern region of Moscow.
These strikes targeted a residential building on the outskirts of the city, a high-rise apartment block where a drone reportedly entered an apartment on the 13th floor, and another high-rise building hit earlier that morning.
Additional footage also shows an unidentified drone flying over roofs in a village populated by affluent Muscovites on the western outskirts of Moscow.
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The nature of the specific targets remains unclear. Some of the drones managed to evade air defense systems and struck their intended objectives.
“We don’t know what they were targeting yet; a proportion were intercepted by air defense systems, but some struck targets,” explained Jack Watling, an expert on land warfare.
The Russian military claims to have used the Pantsir-S surface-to-air missile system to shoot down five of the drones in the Moscow region. Notably, this system was recently installed in central Moscow earlier this year.
Initial speculation suggested that Ukrainian-manufactured UJ-22 drones were used. However, upon further examination, it was determined that the drones pictured in the videos differed significantly from the UJ-22 model in terms of wing design, wheel position, and fuselage.
Instead, experts believe that a “Beaver” drone, a long-range attack aircraft allegedly manufactured by Ukraine, was “most likely” used in the attacks.
In recent months, Russia and Russian-controlled territories in Ukraine have experienced a surge in suspected drone attacks.
Over 60 such attacks have been tracked since the beginning of 2023, with targets ranging from oil facilities and airfields to energy infrastructure. Notably, the Kremlin Senate building in central Moscow was also allegedly targeted.
Layla Guest, an analyst at Sibylline security consultancy, suggests that Ukrainian forces are likely prioritizing the disruption of oil refineries, railway infrastructure, and broader Russian logistics as part of their strategy ahead of an anticipated counter-offensive.
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As investigations into the exact type of drones used in the Moscow attacks continue, the situation between Russia and Ukraine remains tense.
Accusations and denials fly as both nations grapple with the aftermath of this audacious drone assault on the Russian capital.
