Drone Attacks On Moscow Bring Front Line To The Capital

The Russian Defence Ministry has accused Kyiv of launching a 'terrorist drone attack' on Moscow. Local media reports that 32 drones were counted over the Russian capital, with 19 shot down, 10 falling by their own, and three damaging houses. The Defence Ministry states that just eight drones were recorded to have attacked the city with all eight brought down. No casualties were recorded. Nevertheless, the presence of drones over the Russian capital will bring home to much of the population that the front line of the war in Ukraine now includes their home city.

• For its part, the Zelenskyy administration in Kyiv has denied responsibility for the attack. However, Reuters reports a comment from an aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that Ukraine will be 'watching the drone attack on Moscow with enjoyment' while predictions that such attacks will increase (while denying Kyiv's involvement).
• The attack on Moscow comes after a sustained period of Russian drone attacks on Kyiv, with the Ukrainian capital hit three nights in a row, with one civilian killed on the night of 29 May.
• Attacks on targets deep within Russia have stepped up in recent weeks. However, these have centred on infrastructure/military targets in oblasts around the Ukrainian borders. There remains the prospect of a backlash against the gov't from the Muscovite population should the attacks continue.