▲ Moscow apartment building attacked by drone


Although it was not clear who was behind the unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) attack on the Russian capital Moscow on the 30th (local time), it was analyzed that it may be a Ukrainian tactic to make the wealthy people of Russian cities feel close to the war.

The British daily The Guardian raised the possibility that the drone attack on Moscow on Tuesday was considered the largest offensive against the Russian mainland since the start of the war in Ukraine.

On that day, apartments and skyscrapers in southwestern Moscow were simultaneously attacked by drones.

No serious damage or casualties were reported.

According to Russian authorities and media, eight drones were used in the attack, five of which were shot down or disabled.

It was also reported that more than 8 drones were involved in the attack.

The Guardian reported that while there have been a few drone strikes by Ukraine on the Russian mainland or Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine so far this year, most of them have been aimed at Russian infrastructure and logistics facilities near the border or in occupied territories.

However, in recent days it has been noted that the tendency of Ukraine to strike deep into Russia with drones is clearly visible.

Earlier this month, for example, the Kremlin was hit by a drone attack, which U.S. intelligence officials concluded was caused by Ukrainian intelligence, the U.S. daily The New York Times (NYT) reported.

However, there is still no clear evidence that this attack was ordered by the highest levels of the Ukrainian government.

While some of the recent drone strikes could be seen as "shaping operations" targeting infrastructure and logistics facilities ahead of Ukraine's counteroffensive, the Guardian estimates that the Moscow attack appears to be aimed more at creating a psychological impact.

Even the wealthy elites of cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg flew drones to make them feel war.

In Russia, most of the mass conscription and mobilization related to the war was confined to the people of the outlying areas, so the city population tended to see the war as a distant story that they did not feel in their own skin.

The Guardian reported that if the attack was carried out by Ukraine, it appears to be an attempt to put Moscow in the war's sphere of influence, demonstrating that Ukraine is capable of repeatedly evading Russian air defenses and striking deep into Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Ukraine for the attack, calling it "clear evidence of an act of terrorism."

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, said, "We have nothing to do with this," adding, "We are happy to see and anticipate the increase in these attacks."

(Photo = AP, Yonhap News)