MOSCOW, March 17 — Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow to date on Sunday, according to Russian officials, as voting continued on the final day of Russia’s presidential election. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that air defenses intercepted 35 drones over Russian territory. Of those, 17 were downed over the Moscow region, six over Bryansk, four over Belgorod, three over Kaluga, two over Oryol, and one each over Rostov and Yaroslavl.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that at least 12 drones were shot down over the Moscow region, with debris falling in the Ramensky and Domodedovo districts. No casualties were reported.
Airports Restricted, Refinery Fire Reported
Flights were briefly restricted at Moscow’s Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky airports. Separately, a fire broke out at an oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban in the Krasnodar region following a drone attack there. The attack came during the three-day presidential election, which ran from March 15 to March 17.
Incumbent President Vladimir Putin was seeking a fifth term and faced three other candidates: Nikolay Kharitonov of the Communist Party, Vladislav Davankov of New People, and Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party. Putin won with 87% of the vote, according to official results.
The election was criticized by international observers for lacking genuine competition. Ukrainian officials have not officially claimed responsibility for the drone attack. A Ukrainian intelligence source told the BBC that the attack was a joint operation by the SBU and the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR).
The source said the drones targeted military and industrial facilities. Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the attack a “terrorist act” and said it was aimed at disrupting the election.
A Pattern of Strikes
The drone attack is part of a pattern of increased Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory in 2024. In January 2024, Ukraine launched a drone attack on an oil terminal in St. Petersburg. In February 2024, a drone attack hit an oil refinery in Volgograd.
The Russian election was held amid tight security and a crackdown on dissent. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in prison in February 2024.
The election results were widely seen as predetermined. The drone attack on March 17, 2024, was the largest on Moscow since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Previous attacks on Moscow, such as in May 2023, involved fewer drones.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a total of 35 drones were intercepted, but Ukrainian sources suggested that more drones may have been launched. The attack caused no significant damage to infrastructure, according to Russian officials.
The event highlights the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. The war has resulted in thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. The United States and its allies have provided military and financial aid to Ukraine.
Putin’s victory was announced on March 18, 2024. The drone attack was seen as a symbolic gesture by Ukraine to show its ability to strike deep into Russian territory. The attack did not disrupt the election process, according to Russian officials.
The international community has largely condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia. The drone attack is likely to further escalate tensions between the two countries.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected.
