It is one of the most important attacks on Moscow since the beginning of the war, as reported by the TSN news program. “On the night of May 17, Moscow and its region were the target of a massive drone attack. Numerous impacts and considerable destruction were reported.”
Russians are dismayed
Apparently, the region’s infrastructure was targeted, as well as at least one refinery, according to the Suspilne television channel. “According to preliminary information, the Angstrem semiconductor plant, subject to [Western] sanctions, the Elma technopark in Zelenograd, the Sonechtnogorsk refinery, and Cheremetyevo airport were hit, and their activities were temporarily suspended.”
Regarding the refinery, Suspilne specifies that “this facility is an important fuel terminal in the Moscow region. It is part of the main oil pipelines network in the Moscow region and is used for storing, pumping, and transporting gasoline and diesel.” The online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, citing Russian sources, explains that the anti-air defense was not idle:
“Russia claims to have shot down over 600 Ukrainian drones, 130 of which allegedly attacked Moscow.”
But faced with the scope of this unprecedented wave of Ukrainian attacks, “the Russians, dismayed, complain about the strikes in local forums,” comments TSN.
Moscow loses sleep
“Russian authorities have reported deaths and injuries following the attack,” notes the Ukrainian news site Obozrevatel. “Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov also reported three deaths and four injuries among Russians.” These numbers are not surprising, the site claims, because “Russian anti-air defense often hits tall buildings.”
Regardless, states Obozrevatel in another article, “President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces launched a massive offensive against Moscow and its region at night, over 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.” But more importantly, he presented these nighttime strikes as a “just response to the prolonged war waged by Russia and its attacks on our cities.” And he added:
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