Moscow building goes up in flames after being struck by Ukrainian drone
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Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks in Russia
A skyscraper in Moscow has gone up in flames after allegedly being struck by a Ukrainian drone.
The top of a high-rise building was hit following an attack which was likely intended to hit facilities run by the Russian Defence Ministry.
Sources in Moscow claim the drones were eventually downed by electronic warfare jamming.
However, one drone caused severe damage to a business centre tower block on Likhacheva Prospekt.
One drone caused severe damage to a business centre tower block
Reuters
Russian expert Hristo Grozev suggested the drone fell close to the headquarters of GRU military intelligence’s “cyber offensive”.
But there has not been any immediate confirmation of such a claim.
The incident led to traffic being closed in both Komsomolsky Prospekt and Likhacheva Prospekt.
The alleged attack comes just days after Russia bombarded Odesa’s historic Orthodox cathedral.
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A police officer carries debris as they investigate a bridge near the site of a damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow
Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to retaliate to the attack, saying: “There can be no excuse for Russian evil.
“As always, this evil will lose. And there will definitely be a retaliation to Russian terrorists for Odesa. They will feel this retaliation.”
Reports have suggested fragments of the drone were found just one mile away from the Defence Ministry.
Shop windows and apartment buildings on Komsomolsky Prospekt were also damaged.
A view shows a damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow
Reuters
Emergencies official told TASS: “At 17, Komsomolsky Prospekt, the debris of a drone was discovered.
“According to preliminary information, there were no casualties.”
The ministry added on Telegram: “On the morning of July 24, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to launch a terrorist attack using two unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities on the territory of the city of Moscow was thwarted.
“Two Ukrainian UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] were suppressed by electronic warfare means and crashed.”
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin also said: "Drone attacks on two non-residential buildings were registered at about 4:00 a.m. today, causing no major damage or casualties. All emergency services are working at the scene.”
Russia has previously blamed Ukraine for other alleged attacks, including a strike against the Kremlin which was portrayed as a bid to assassinate Vladimir Putin.
Kyiv has consistently denied involvement in attacks inside Russia.