Moscow hit by drone attack for second night in a row as explosions rock city
Photo: City mayor reported on firefighters' work (Getty Images)
Russian authorities have reported a massive drone attack on Moscow for the second consecutive night. According to official figures, more than 20 drones have been shot down, while several airports across the country have restricted operations, says Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Moscow authorities once again reported a wave of drone attacks, with the official numbers rising rapidly overnight. While initial reports spoke of around a dozen downed drones, Sobyanin said their number had surpassed 20 within an hour.
The attack also disrupted air traffic in the region. Several Russian airports, including airports in Moscow, temporarily restricted operations following instructions from Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya.
Yaroslavl Airport also suspended operations. The local governor said the restrictions were introduced as a security measure, which also forced authorities to limit traffic heading toward Moscow.
In the morning, Sobyanin reported several more downed drones that had allegedly been heading toward the Russian capital, with the official tally continuing to rise.
The previous night, on August 18, Moscow and the surrounding region were targeted by another massive drone attack, with several fires reported in the area. And on the night of August 16, a similar attack sparked a fire at the largest Wildberries warehouse in the Moscow region.
Sobyanin himself has also spoken about the growing number of such attacks. In early August, the Moscow mayor complained that the number of Ukrainian strike drone attacks targeting the Russian capital had increased severalfold.
