Moscow Hit by Ukrainian Drones for Second Day Running
AI Analysis
Moscow experienced a second consecutive day of Ukrainian drone attacks, with Russian air defenses claiming to have intercepted 35 drones on June 19th. The attacks follow a larger assault targeting infrastructure, including the Moscow Oil Refinery, resulting in reported casualties and damage. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed strikes on the refinery, framing them as retaliation for Russian attacks.
Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow on June 18th & 19th.
- Russian air defenses reportedly intercepted 35 drones on June 19th; ~200 drones involved in the June 18th attack.
- The Moscow Oil Refinery was specifically targeted, confirmed by Zelensky.
- Reported casualties from June 18th attacks: 17 injured, 1 fatality.
- Putin has remained publicly silent regarding the attacks, potentially attempting to project calm.
Why It Matters
The attacks demonstrate Ukraine's increasing capability to strike deep within Russian territory, challenging Russia's air defense systems and potentially impacting domestic morale. The targeting of critical infrastructure like oil refineries suggests a strategy to degrade Russia's war economy. Putin’s silence may be a calculated risk, but could also be interpreted as weakness.
Moscow was targeted by Ukrainian drones for a second straight day on Friday, June 19, according to Russian officials and media reports.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defenses shot down at least 35 drones approaching the Russian capital during the day. He did not report casualties or significant damage.
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The attack followed a larger overnight drone assault on Thursday that Russian authorities said involved around 200 drones targeting Moscow and the surrounding region.
According to Russian media reports, the previous attack targeted the Moscow Oil Refinery, while drones or debris also struck the Sadovod market and the Mega Belaya Dacha shopping center.
Russian authorities said 17 people were injured and one girl died during the June 18 attacks.
Ukraine has not officially commented on Friday’s reported drone strikes.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday confirmed that Ukrainian forces had struck the Moscow Oil Refinery for the second time in a week, calling it a response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not publicly commented on the drone attacks despite widespread media coverage inside Russia.
According to The Moscow Times, Putin spent the day of the Thursday attack attending meetings at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kazan, where he discussed trade, tourism and international relations but made no mention of the strikes on Moscow.
The Russian leader also reportedly avoided discussing the attacks during a Security Council meeting on Friday.
Political analyst Abbas Gallyamov told The Moscow Times that the Kremlin may be attempting to project calm by downplaying the attacks, but argued that Putin’s silence could instead be perceived by some Russians as indifference.
But on Friday, Zelensky also warned of potential escalations from Russia while speaking to journalists, warning that Moscow could intensify its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine as Putin grows weaker.
Zelensky urged Ukrainians to follow air raid safety measures and seek shelter during attacks.
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