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30 May 2023 Moscow drone strikes

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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, see 2023 Kremlin drone explosion.
30 May 2023 Moscow drone strikes
Part of the 2022–23 Western Russia attacks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Location Moscow, Russia
Date 30 May 2023
Target Moscow
Attack type
 Drone strike
Weapons 8 to 25 drones
Assailants

Disputed

  •  Ukraine
    (per Russia, denied by Ukraine)
Kyiv offensive
Eastern Ukraine offensive
Northeastern Ukraine offensive
Southern Ukraine offensive
Western Ukraine airstrikes
Naval war
Spillover in Russia


On 30 May 2023, amidst the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the Russian capital of Moscow was subject to several drone 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]

Background[]

Main article: 2022–2023 Western Russia attacks

In February 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.[3]

Earlier in May 2023, two drones were shot down over the Kremlin in Moscow in what Russia claims was an attack perpetrated by Ukraine.[4]

Attacks[]

The same day as the strikes, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv faced its third air raid within 24 hours.[5]

Videos posted to social media showed a drone exploding in a field outside Moscow, and others flying over houses in Rublyovka, a wealthy district in southwestern Moscow.[5]

Sergei Shoigu, Russian minister of defence, claimed Ukraine had used eight drones, though none had hit their targets.[6] The ministry said that five drones had been shot down, and the other three had their systems jammed.[7] According to a Telegram 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.[8][9] Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin stated that two people suffered minor injuries after drones crashed into residential buildings.[6] Three residential buildings had some windows shattered as a result of the attacks.[10]

Reactions[]

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.[6] 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 mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, criticized the Russian defence ministry for its failure to prevent the attack.[11]

In response to the attacks, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo 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][4]

A spokesperson for the United 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]".[12] A French official said that French military support to Ukraine should not be used to attack Russia.[13]

Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, called the American refusal to condemn Ukraine for the attack "an encouragement for Ukrainian terrorists".[11][14]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Shad, Nadeem; Greenall, Robert (2023-05-30). "Moscow drone attack: Putin says Ukraine trying to frighten Russians" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65751632. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Faulconbridge, Guy (2023-05-30). "Putin says Ukraine drone strikes on Moscow aim to scare and provoke Russia" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/drones-hit-several-buildings-moscow-mayor-2023-05-30/. 
  3. ↑ Faulconbridge, Guy; Polityuk, Pavel (2023-05-31). "Ukraine war comes to Moscow as drones strike both capitals" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-air-defences-battle-fresh-wave-russian-attacks-2023-05-30/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Grove, Thomas; Lovett, Ian (2023-05-30). "Drones Hit Residences in Moscow for First Time in Ukraine War" (in en-US). The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. https://www.wsj.com/articles/drones-strike-residential-areas-in-moscow-9984942. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Roth, Andrew; Sauer, Pjotr (2023-05-30). "Large-scale drone attack hits Moscow for first time in Ukraine war" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/30/moscow-drone-attack-mayor-reports-minor-damage-to-buildings. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Miller, Christopher; Seddon, Max (2023-05-30). "Vladimir Putin vows retaliation for drone attack on Moscow". Financial. https://www.ft.com/content/cdde0e44-0e90-41c0-a3be-e5f6849b706b. 
  7. ↑ Kurmanaev, Anatoly; Nechepurenko, Ivan; Santora, Marc; Kim, Victoria (2023-05-30). "Russia-Ukraine War: Drone Strikes Damage Buildings in Moscow as Kyiv Is Hit Again" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/05/30/world/russia-ukraine-drones-news. 
  8. ↑ "Moscow drone attacks: what do we know so far?" (in en). Reuters. 2023-05-30. https://www.reuters.com/world/what-do-we-know-about-ukraines-drone-strike-moscow-2023-05-30/. 
  9. ↑ Hanlon, Tim (2023-05-30). "Moscow under siege by drone strikes with explosions in wealthy parts of capital" (in en). https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/moscow-under-siege-drone-strikes-30108044. 
  10. ↑ Kurmanaev, Anatoly (2023-05-30). "Moscow Drone Strikes a Psychological Blow, Russian Nationalists Say" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/30/world/europe/russians-war-moscow-drone-strike.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Wagner boss blasts Russia's elite following Moscow drone attack" (in en). 2023-05-31. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/31/wagner-boss-blasts-russias-elite-following-moscow-drone-attack. 
  12. ↑ Ayyub, Rami (2023-05-30). "White House says it does not support attacks inside Russia" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/white-house-says-it-does-not-support-attacks-inside-russia-2023-05-30/. 
  13. ↑ Drozidak, Natalia; Nussbaum, Ania; Ummelas, Ott (2023-05-31). "Ukraine's Allies Push Back on Striking Targets in Russia" (in en). Bloomberg News. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-31/ukraine-s-allies-push-back-on-striking-targets-in-russia. 
  14. ↑ Kurmanaev, Anatoly (2023-05-31). "Russia Denounces West Over Drone Strike on Moscow" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/31/world/europe/russia-moscow-drone-attack.html. 
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