A massive drone strike shook Moscow and its surrounding suburbs overnight into Sunday, injuring multiple individuals and leading to the temporary suspension of operations at several of Russia’s busiest airports, as officials confirmed. The attack comes amid a backdrop of escalating military tensions, with a substantial nighttime wave of drones launched from Russia targeting Ukraine.
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This incident follows a significant decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who signed a military cooperation pact with North Korea on Saturday night. The agreement compels both nations to promptly provide military assistance using “all means” should either nation come under attack, marking the closest military alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang since the conclusion of the Cold War.
Earlier this week, reports from Ukraine detailed engagements involving their troops and North Korean units for the first time. U.S. officials have verified the deployment of at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers to Russian territory, although Ukrainian sources contend that the actual numbers are likely much higher. This development has heightened concerns about a notable intensification of Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with fears that tensions could extend into the Asia-Pacific region.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have maintained a strict confidentiality regarding casualty statistics since the onset of the full-scale war, despite frequent reports detailing significant losses amongst Russian forces, especially during “human wave” assaults aimed at exhausting Ukrainian defenses.
However, Tony Radakin, the Chief of the U.K. Defence Staff, revealed to the BBC that Russian forces experienced their most devastating month of casualties in October since the commencement of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine back in February 2022. He noted that Russian troops endured an alarming average of 1,500 dead and wounded daily, bringing their cumulative losses in the conflict to a staggering total of 700,000.
According to Radakin, the burden of the conflict falls heavily on ordinary Russians, who are paying “an extraordinary price” as a result of the prolonged war. Even as a relentless and grueling Russian offensive continues to gain minimal ground in Ukraine’s industrial eastern regions, he emphasized the sheer scale of the cost to the Russian populace.
“There is no doubt that Russia is making tactical, territorial gains and that is putting pressure on Ukraine,” he remarked. Nevertheless, he pointed out that these gains are “tiny increments of land,” and he warned that escalating military expenditure was placing increasing strain on Russia’s economy.
Radakin insisted that Ukraine’s Western allies should remain steadfast in their support for as long as necessary to counter Russian aggression, even as certain allies of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hinted that Ukraine might have to consider territorial concessions to attain peace.
On Sunday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed cautious optimism regarding Trump’s imminent presidency, commenting: “At least he talks about peace. He does not talk about confrontation.” He remarked that the signals coming from Trump have been encouraging, highlighting Trump’s perspective on negotiation-driven peace deals.
Peskov noted, “He does not talk about a desire to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, and this favourably distinguishes him from the current (U.S.) administration.”
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that “strong decisions” from Kyiv’s Western allies are critical to halt the “terror” of relentless Russian drone and missile strikes, and to ensure “reliable peace” for Ukraine. He reiterated, “The killing of children, the loss of family members cannot simply be forgotten.”
“Without strong decisions, there is no security from terror, and this is equally clear in every country. There is no reliable peace without justice,” he stressed in a post on the Telegram messaging app.
Amidst this escalating conflict, fierce combats have continued near the eastern Ukrainian cities of Toretsk and Kurakhove, with Ukraine’s General Staff reporting specifics on the situation on Sunday. Between 700 and 1,000 residents remain trapped in Kurakhove, a front-line city surrounded on three sides and heavily damaged. Most of them are taking refuge underground, lacking access to essential services such as water, heating, and electricity.
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In a parallel development, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported the interception of a total of 84 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory during the night. This follows what authorities described as a “mass strike on civilian infrastructure.” Tragically, a man lost his life when drones targeted and struck his apartment building in the Belgorod region, mere kilometers from the Ukrainian border, as reported by local Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
In addition to these incidents, five other individuals suffered injuries in the Moscow suburb of Ramenskoe and its nearby village, according to local reports. Eye-witness accounts circulating on Russian Telegram channels indicated that drone debris ignited fires in suburban homes.
Russia’s aviation authority confirmed that flights were temporarily grounded at major international airports, including Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo. At least 14 flights scheduled for Moscow were diverted to Nizhnyi Novgorod, located 490 kilometers away, as reported by airport representatives.
In the wake of these developments, Ukraine’s General Staff claimed on Sunday that its drones had ignited a fire at an arms depot located in Russia’s southern Bryansk region, situated near the borders with both Ukraine and Belarus. An online update featured a photo showing thick, reddish smoke billowing into the night sky, though the authenticity of the image could not be verified by the AP, nor was there an immediate response from Russian officials.
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Additionally, Russia’s emergencies ministry reported a major fire that erupted at a warehouse located outside Moscow on Sunday. There were no immediate reports of casualties, and it remains uncertain whether this incident was connected to the Ukrainian drone strikes.
In a show of military aggression, Russia launched an unprecedented total of 145 drones targeting Ukrainian territories overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force, which managed to shoot down 62 of these drones. Furthermore, the air force indicated that an additional 67 drones were “lost,” presumably due to electronic jamming that caused them to go off course.
In Ukraine’s southern port city of Odesa, at least one person sustained injuries due to Russian drone attacks on residential areas, as reported by local Governor Oleh Kiper. Moreover, in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, at least five civilians, including a 17-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, were hurt by falling drone debris and shelling, confirmed by Governor Oleh Syniehubov and local prosecutors.
Later on Sunday, Russian authorities claimed they had targeted a substantial gathering of Ukrainian soldiers in Kharkiv province using thermobaric rockets, though they did not provide immediate evidence to substantiate these claims.
**Interview with Dr. Anna Petrov, International Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Petrov. We’re discussing recent events that have heightened military tensions in Europe, particularly the drone strike in Moscow and Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea. How do you assess the implications of these developments?
**Dr. Petrov:** Thank you for having me. The drone strike in Moscow is a significant event, particularly because it disrupts not only the city’s security but also public perception. With major airports temporarily suspended, it underscores the vulnerability of even the heart of Moscow. This attack likely serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the reciprocal espionage and warfare tactics being employed.
**Editor:** Indeed, and it seems the timing is critical. Just before the drone strike, President Putin signed a military pact with North Korea. What does this mean for Russia’s military strategy moving forward?
**Dr. Petrov:** The pact indicates an increasingly formalized military alliance between Russia and North Korea, which is concerning. It suggests that both nations are gearing up for a more pronounced collaboration, especially if they feel threatened. This partnership may provide Russia with additional resources, and in return, North Korea could gain military support, bolstering its own aggressive posturing in the region.
**Editor:** Mentioning North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia, what are the implications of these troop movements on the battlefield in Ukraine?
**Dr. Petrov:** The presence of North Korean troops in Russia could lead to a more aggressive Russian approach in Ukraine, with a potential focus on increasing the scale and intensity of attacks. It raises the possibility of North Korean forces being used to plug gaps in Russian manpower, which has reportedly been suffering unprecedented casualties.
**Editor:** U.K. Defence Chief Tony Radakin stated that Russian forces experienced their highest casualty rates in October. How do you see this affecting domestic support for the war in Russia?
**Dr. Petrov:** The human cost of this war is substantial, and it will likely begin to wear on the Russian populace over time. Casualties at such high levels could foster dissatisfaction among families affected by the loss of loved ones, which could spark unrest or a shift in public opinion against the war. It remains to be seen whether the Kremlin can maintain the narrative of victory despite these losses.
**Editor:** Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been vocal about the need for support from Western allies. How critical is this assistance for Ukraine’s efforts moving forward?
**Dr. Petrov:** Ukrainian reliance on Western support is absolutely critical, especially as it faces increasing aggression. As President Zelenskyy indicated, without a robust response from allies, Ukraine risks facing overwhelming force. This dynamic is pivotal—not just in terms of arms and supplies but also in maintaining morale among Ukrainian troops and the public.
**Editor:** how do you think the broader international community should respond to these developments, particularly with the upcoming U.S. presidential administration?
**Dr. Petrov:** The international community must remain vigilant and united. It’s essential for the U.S. and its allies to make clear that aggressive moves will not lead to concessions from Ukraine. The balance of power in Europe and, indeed, globally, is at stake. Diplomatic strategies must be accompanied by a tangible commitment to supporting Ukraine, ensuring that any discussions of peace do not undermine the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Petrov, for your insights. This situation is indeed complex and evolving, and we appreciate your expertise on these critical matters.
**Dr. Petrov:** Thank you for having me.
