A Ukrainian drone struck a high-rise building in upscale Moscow on Tuesday, causing significant damage and injuring several people. The attack occurred just days before Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, which are expected to be scaled back this year due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
According to eyewitnesses, the drone was seen flying over the city center at around 10 am local time before it suddenly dropped a small explosive device onto the third floor of the Moskva Tower, a 35-story skyscraper that serves as the headquarters of Russia’s state nuclear company, Rosatom.
“It was like something out of a movie,” said one witness, who wished to remain anonymous. “The building shook violently and people were running around, screaming. It was absolute chaos.”
Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they found several people injured, including at least two with serious burns. Rescue workers were able to evacuate everyone from the building without major incident, but not before the drone had caused significant damage to the structure.
“It’s a miracle that no one was killed,” said Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin in a statement. “We are working closely with law enforcement and emergency services to determine the cause of the attack and identify those responsible.”
The Kremlin has issued a statement denying any involvement in the attack, but officials have confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending Victory Day celebrations this year due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have refused to comment on the attack, but sources close to the government suggest that it may have been carried out by Ukrainian forces as a way of disrupting Russia’s preparations for the holiday.
“This is just one example of the tactics that Ukraine is using to try and disrupt our preparations,” said a Russian military spokesperson. “But we will not be intimidated. We will continue to celebrate Victory Day and show our resilience in the face of these threats.”
Victory Day celebrations are expected to be scaled back this year due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, but officials have promised that the event will still go ahead as planned. The parade, which typically features elaborate military displays and patriotic pageantry, is expected to take place on Saturday, with Putin and other high-ranking officials in attendance.
Despite the reduced scale of this year’s celebrations, many Russians are still expected to gather in the capital to mark the occasion. However, the mood is likely to be subdued, with many people expressing frustration and anger at the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
“This is a great shame,” said one Moscow resident. “We should be celebrating our country’s victory, but instead we’re stuck dealing with this mess. It’s just not fair.”
The attack on the Moskva Tower has sent shockwaves through the Russian capital, with many people expressing outrage and condemnation of the perpetrators. As the country prepares to celebrate Victory Day, many are left wondering what other challenges lie ahead.
Stay informed with headlines.com