Russia has announced that it successfully intercepted and brought down two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) belonging to Ukraine. The incident occurred on Wednesday, with one drone being shot down near a major airport to the south of Moscow, and another to the west of the capital city.
The Russian defence ministry released a statement declaring that they had thwarted a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime, referring to the Ukrainian government. The ministry added that the attack was planned using UAVs, but their air defences successfully destroyed both drones.
Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, confirmed that one of the UAVs was shot down near Domodedovo, where one of Russia’s largest international airports is located. The other drone was taken down near the Minsk motorway.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine. Crimea’s annexation by Russia in 2014, and the subsequent conflict in Eastern Ukraine, has strained their relations significantly. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles for potential attacks adds a new dimension to the conflict, as both sides continue to find innovative ways to outmaneuver each other.
As of now, the motivation behind Ukraine’s alleged attempt to carry out a terrorist attack with drones remains unclear. However, tensions have escalated in recent months, with intermittent clashes along the disputed border and in the Donbass region.
It is worth noting that conflicts involving UAVs are becoming increasingly common in modern warfare. Drones are now being adopted by various military forces worldwide due to their capabilities and effectiveness in reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat operations.
Reactions from international stakeholders are awaited as they assess the situation. This incident is likely to further exacerbate the already strained relationship between Russia and Ukraine, potentially leading to further escalation in the ongoing conflict.
(Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
