30 May 2023 Moscow drone strikes

On 30 May 2023, amidst the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the Russian capital of Moscow was subject to several drone strikes. At least eight drones were involved in the attacks. Five of the drones were shot down by air missiles, the other three were suppressed by electronic warfare systems.[1] Russia blamed Ukraine.[2]

This article is about the wave of strikes on Moscow that occurred on 30 May 2023. For the strikes on the Kremlin that occurred earlier in the same month, see Kremlin drone attack.

30 May 2023 Moscow drone strikes
Part of the 2022–23 Western Russia attacks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
LocationMoscow, Russia
Date30 May 2023
TargetMoscow
Attack type
Drone strike
Weapons8 to 25 drones
PerpetratorsDisputed
  •  Ukraine
    (per Russia, denied by Ukraine)

Moscow was also targeted and struck by drones numerous times in June, July, August, and September.[3][4][5]

Background
Main article: 2022–2023 Western Russia attacks

In February 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.[6]

Earlier in May 2023, two drones were shot down over the Kremlin in Moscow in what Russia claims was an attack perpetrated by Ukraine.[7]

Attacks

The same day as the strikes, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv faced its third air raid within 24 hours.[8]

Videos posted to social media showed a drone exploding in a field outside Moscow, and others flying over houses in Rublyovka, a wealthy district in southwestern Moscow.[8]

Sergei Shoigu, Russian minister of defence, claimed Ukraine had used eight drones, though none had hit their targets.[9] The ministry said that five drones had been shot down, and the other three had their systems jammed.[10] According to a Telegram channel with links to the security services, around 25 drones were involved, with 15 shot down approaching Moscow or over the city according to Russia.[11][12] Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin stated that two people suffered minor injuries after drones crashed into residential buildings.[9] Three residential buildings had some windows shattered as a result of the attacks.[13]

Attacking aircraft resembled the Ukrainian long-range Beaver drone.[14]

Reactions

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, claimed that the strikes showed Ukraine was attempting "to intimidate Russia", saying that it was "clearly a sign of terrorist activity" and that Russia would strengthen air defences around Moscow.[2] Putin vowed to retaliate against Ukraine for the attacks.[9] The foreign ministry of Russia stated that support for Ukraine was "pushing the Ukrainian leadership towards ever more reckless criminal deeds including acts of terrorism".[1] Leader of the Russian mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, criticized the Russian defence ministry for its failure to prevent the attack.[15]

In response to the attacks, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in an online interview that "of course we are pleased to watch and predict an increase in the number of attacks. But of course we have nothing directly to do with this".[2][7]

A spokesperson for the United States government said that information was still being gathered on the attacks, saying that "as a general matter, [the United States does] not support attacks inside of Russia]".[16] A French official said that French military support to Ukraine should not be used to attack Russia.[17]

Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, called the American refusal to condemn Ukraine for the attack "an encouragement for Ukrainian terrorists".[15][18]

References
  1. Shad, Nadeem; Greenall, Robert (30 May 2023). "Moscow drone attack: Putin says Ukraine trying to frighten Russians". BBC News. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  2. Faulconbridge, Guy (30 May 2023). "Putin says Ukraine drone strikes on Moscow aim to scare and provoke Russia". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  3. Picheta, Rob (5 August 2023). "Ukrainian drone strikes are bringing the war home to Russia. What does it mean for the conflict?". CNN. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  4. Ellyatt, Holly (1 September 2023). "'The war is coming home to Russia': Ukraine turns the tables on Moscow as drone warfare intensifies". CNBC. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  5. "Ukraine drones strike Crimea, Moscow, oil depot, Russia says". CNBC. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  6. Faulconbridge, Guy; Polityuk, Pavel (31 May 2023). "Ukraine war comes to Moscow as drones strike both capitals". Reuters. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  7. Grove, Thomas; Lovett, Ian (30 May 2023). "Drones Hit Residences in Moscow for First Time in Ukraine War". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  8. Roth, Andrew; Sauer, Pjotr (30 May 2023). "Large-scale drone attack hits Moscow for first time in Ukraine war". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  9. Miller, Christopher; Seddon, Max (30 May 2023). "Vladimir Putin vows retaliation for drone attack on Moscow". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  10. Kurmanaev, Anatoly; Nechepurenko, Ivan; Santora, Marc; Kim, Victoria (30 May 2023). "Russia-Ukraine War: Drone Strikes Damage Buildings in Moscow as Kyiv Is Hit Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  11. "Moscow drone attacks: what do we know so far?". Reuters. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  12. Hanlon, Tim (30 May 2023). "Moscow under siege by drone strikes with explosions in wealthy parts of capital". mirror. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  13. Kurmanaev, Anatoly (30 May 2023). "Moscow Drone Strikes a Psychological Blow, Russian Nationalists Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  14. Spencer, Thomas; Robinson, Olga; Horton, Jake (30 May 2023). "Moscow drone attack: What we know about the strikes". BBC News. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  15. "Wagner boss blasts Russia's elite following Moscow drone attack". Al Jazeera. 31 May 2023. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  16. Ayyub, Rami (30 May 2023). "White House says it does not support attacks inside Russia". Reuters. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  17. Drozidak, Natalia; Nussbaum, Ania; Ummelas, Ott (31 May 2023). "Ukraine's Allies Push Back on Striking Targets in Russia". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  18. Kurmanaev, Anatoly (31 May 2023). "Russia Denounces West Over Drone Strike on Moscow". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.

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