Russian authorities have charged Ukraine with using a drone to attack a Moscow building, which resulted in an explosion that was audible throughout the city’s business district.
The drone was shot down by air defenses, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, and its debris fell on the Expo Center of the city.
This attack on the Russian capital is the most recent in a string of similar ones.
Unconfirmed video posted on social media appeared to show Moscow’s night sky filling with dense, grey smoke.
Although Ukraine’s government did not immediately respond, it has never formally admitted to carrying out attacks on Moscow-based targets.
Russian defense ministry posted on Telegram that the attack happened around 4:00 local time (01:00 GMT).
It claimed that the drone “changed its flight path” and hit a non-residential building on the Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, a section of Moscow that is home to several government buildings, after the city’s air defense systems were activated.
It further stated that no initial reports of casualties had been made.
The Expo Center is a large exhibition space used for conferences and conventions and is situated less than 5km (3.1 miles) from the Kremlin.
A nearby witness told Reuters that the attack had resulted in “a powerful explosion”.
While Mr. Sobyanin said the drone had inflicted “no significant damage” to the structure, the Russian defense ministry also said the debris had not started a fire.
Following the incident, local media reported that Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport also shut down before reopening shortly after.
Moscow was not affected by the conflict in Ukraine until earlier this year, and in recent months, drone attacks have targeted the city.
Source-BBC
