Russia says it shot down a Ukrainian drone headed toward Moscow
Russian authorities reported that on Saturday, defense forces successfully shot down a Ukrainian drone en route to Moscow.
The defense ministry revealed that the unmanned aircraft was intercepted over the Bogorodsky District, located on the northeastern outskirts of the capital. Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, assured that there were no casualties or damage.
This incident followed Ukraine’s announcement that it had thwarted 29 out of 38 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia the night before.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy commended his air force for the successful interception, marking the highest number of drones reportedly launched by Russia in over six weeks.
During his nightly address, President Zelensky expressed appreciation, stating, “Your accuracy, guys, is life for Ukraine.” However, he cautioned that as winter approached, Russia might intensify its attacks.
Zelensky raised concerns that Russia could be amassing missiles for a potential winter assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The drone strikes on Friday night resulted in power outages affecting over 400 towns and villages in Ukraine. An oil depot in Odesa in the south was also damaged, leaving more than 1,500 residents without power.
Ukraine reported that nearly 21,000 people in the Donetsk region were without electricity, with 63 settlements isolated in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Last winter, Russian attacks left millions of Ukrainians without power for hours in freezing temperatures.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s general staff said on Saturday that its forces “continue to hold positions on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro River”.
Ukrainian forces said this week they had gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro about 30km (19 miles) from the city of Kherson.
The river has separated Ukrainian and Russian forces since Moscow’s troops withdrew from Kherson a year ago.
“Our defenders are consolidating their positions and firing on the occupiers,” the general staff said on Saturday, updating on its operations on the eastern side of the river.
Russia conceded on 15 November that “small groups” of Ukrainian forces had set up positions in the village but insisted they had sustained heavy losses and had no chance of breaking through.
On Thursday, Mr. Zelensky said Russia was “accumulating” missiles and that while Ukraine did not have “100% protection” from Russian strikes, the country’s air defenses were better than last year.
