Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned the public that "war" is coming to Russia after three Ukrainian drones were downed in Moscow.
In a video released on July 31, Zelensky said the conflict is gradually returning to the symbolic centers and military bases of Russia. He described these incidents as "inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process" of the ongoing war.
"Ukraine is getting stronger," he said, "But we must be aware that, just as last year, Russian terrorists can still attack our energy sector and critical facilities this winter." Zelensky emphasized that preparations for "all possible scenarios" were being discussed in Ivano-Frankivsk.
According to the report of the Russian Defense Ministry, three Ukrainian drones were downed over Moscow last July 30, with two of them crashing into office buildings near the city center. Vnukovo Airport, a major transportation hub, was also briefly closed following the drone attack. There were no reported injuries, but the facades of the two office buildings were slightly damaged.
The latest drone attack is part of a series of incidents that Moscow has associated with Kyiv in recent months. The attacks have targeted different locations within Russia, including the capital, with the Kremlin itself becoming a notable target. However, Ukraine has consistently denied these accusations, claiming that they do not target civilians or symbolic sites.
In response to the counter-offensive of Ukraine, Dmitry Medvedev, the former president of Russia and current deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, warned on social media that Moscow would consider using a nuclear weapon if the actions of Kyiv succeed. (Related: Military expert warns: Drone attack against the Kremlin could escalate Ukraine conflict to dangerous new levels.)
The use of drones has escalated tensions between the two countries. The Russian Defense Ministry has stated that Ukraine carried out an overnight drone attack on Russia-annexed Crimea with 25 drones overnight. The ministry claimed to have destroyed 16 drones and suppressed nine others during the attack.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported one fatality and five injuries during a missile attack by Russia in the city of Sumy. A building was completely destroyed in the explosion, as reported by the public broadcaster Suspilne.
Russian netizens doubt the drones came from Ukraine
While the world was left stunned over the news of a daring Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow, it was peculiarly absent from Kremlin-controlled media channels. Russians came to discover the incident through social media and international news outlets.
Russian netizens took to social media and comments sections to express their outrage and curiosity about the attack. Thousands of users questioned how the drones could have reached Moscow undetected and managed to strike such a significant symbol of the capital.
Many criticized the apparent lack of response from Russian air defenses and called for stronger retaliatory measures against Ukraine. "The SHAME on the current government, it is a SHAME and not the ability to resist anyone and nothing! This is not a war but a theatre," a netizen posted.
Some users suggested that the drones were launched from within Russian territory, possibly by sleeper cells or with the involvement of Russian intelligence agencies.
"These drones are being launched to Moscow from the territory of Russia, the so-called sleeping cells of the Ukronazis, I am absolutely convinced of this. These drones would never have reached Moscow from the territory of Ukraine, and I am convinced of this too. Another question is why our special services cannot detect where these drones are being launched from our territory," one netizen wrote.
Another one wrote: "I don't believe it!!! This is not ukry (Ukrainian) launched!!! This is either the sleeper cells on the territory of Russia have become more active, or the FSB is doing provocations like with blown-up houses in the 2000s... Save Russia from traitors!!! Punish all the corrupt!!!"
Others saw the attack as a political maneuver rather than a military operation, with the primary objectives of undermining Putin and sowing discontent among the Russian population.
The latest news about the war in Ukraine can be found at WWIII.news.
Watch this footage of the Ukrainian drone attacks in Moscow and see how they hit a secret Russian government office.
This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.
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Ukraine launches biggest attack in months as much-hyped counteroffensive begins.
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