This article is about the wave of strikes on Moscow that occurred on 30 May 2023. For the strikes on the Kremlin that occurred earlier in the same month, seeKremlin drone attack.
On 30 May 2023, amidst the ongoinginvasion of Ukraine, the Russian capital ofMoscow was subject to severaldrone strikes. At least eight drones were involved in the attacks. Five of the drones were shot down by air missiles, the other three were suppressed by electronic warfare systems.[1] Russia blamed Ukraine.[2]
Moscow was also targeted and struck by drones numerous times in June, July, August, and September.[3][4][5]
Videos posted to social media showed a drone exploding in a field outside Moscow, and others flying over houses inRublyovka, a wealthy district in southwestern Moscow.[8]
Sergei Shoigu,Russian minister of defence, claimed Ukraine had used eight drones, though none had hit their targets.[9] The ministry said that five drones had been shot down, and the other three had their systemsjammed.[10] According to aTelegram channel with links to the security services, around 25 drones were involved, with 15 shot down approaching Moscow or over the city according to Russia.[11][12]Mayor of MoscowSergey Sobyanin stated that two people suffered minor injuries after drones crashed into residential buildings.[9] Three residential buildings had some windows shattered as a result of the attacks.[13]
Attacking aircraft resembled the Ukrainian long-rangeBeaver drone.[14]
Vladimir Putin,President of Russia, claimed that the strikes showed Ukraine was attempting "to intimidate Russia", saying that it was "clearly a sign of terrorist activity" and that Russia would strengthen air defences around Moscow.[2] Putin vowed to retaliate against Ukraine for the attacks.[9] The foreign ministry of Russia stated that support for Ukraine was "pushing the Ukrainian leadership towards ever more reckless criminal deeds including acts of terrorism".[1] Leader of the Russian mercenaryWagner Group,Yevgeny Prigozhin, criticized the Russian defence ministry for its failure to prevent the attack.[15]
In response to the attacks, Ukrainian presidential adviserMykhailo Podolyak said in an online interview that "of course we are pleased to watch and predict an increase in the number of attacks. But of course we have nothing directly to do with this".[2][7]
A spokesperson for theUnited States government said that information was still being gathered on the attacks, saying that "as a general matter, [the United States does] not support attacks inside of Russia]".[16] A French official said that French military support to Ukraine should not be used to attack Russia.[17]
