Wed Sep 11 01:12:55 UTC 2024: ## Drone Barrage Strikes Russia, Killing One in Moscow Region
**MOSCOW, Russia (AP)** – A wave of over 140 Ukrainian drones targeted multiple Russian regions overnight, including Moscow and surrounding areas, resulting in at least one death and eight injuries, officials said Tuesday. The attack marks one of the biggest drone assaults on Russian soil since the start of the war in 2022.
A woman died in the town of Ramenskoye, just outside Moscow, where drones struck two multi-story residential buildings, causing fires. Five residential buildings were evacuated due to falling drone debris, according to Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov.
The attack also forced the closure of three airports near Moscow – Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky – diverting 48 flights. While Vnukovo and Domodedovo reopened later in the morning, Zhukovsky remained closed in the afternoon as law enforcement dealt with drone debris.
This incident follows a similar large-scale drone attack on Sept. 1, where the Russian military intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones over several regions. Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation into the attacks, labeling them as “terrorist acts.”
While Russia has heavily bombarded Ukraine with missiles and drones, killing over 10,000 civilians, Ukrainian officials have maintained that they are using drone attacks to disrupt Russia’s war machine and society, highlighting shortcomings in Russia’s air defense systems.
The Kremlin has expressed concerns over the effectiveness of its air defenses, especially after drone attacks hit Moscow’s prestigious business district in August 2023 and the Kremlin itself in May 2023.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly requested more advanced weapons from Western partners, citing insufficient support. They claim that the pledged weapons are often delayed or do not meet their military’s needs.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces continue to engage with Russia’s larger and better-equipped army, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a bold incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region last month, further escalating tensions.
In response to the continued war, Russia has begun massive naval and air drills involving over 90,000 troops and 400 warships, with China participating. Additionally, the US and Britain reported Russia is bolstering its military arsenal with Iranian ballistic missiles.
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