Ukraine strikes back as drones attack the wealthy districts of Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, according to reports.
In what some called the most dangerous attack on the Russian capital since World War II, Ukrainian drones struck Moscow’s most prominent areas, including Leninsky Prospekt — a grand avenue crafted under Josef Stalin — and the area of western Moscow where the Russian elite have their residences.
This video showing what appears to be a drone flying over a western suburb of Moscow as Russia accuses Ukraine of a 'terrorist' attack.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 30, 2023
Russia's ministry of defence said that several drones fell on buildings, inflicting "minor damage". https://t.co/SBaACWdpdX pic.twitter.com/Z9yTUXWgHm
Aerial attacks on targets from the front have increased amid the presence of Russian soldiers entrenched along an extended line in the east and south of Ukraine.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is one of the key strategic southern places that Russian forces have been in possession of almost since the start of the war in February of last year.
On Tuesday, the head of the United Nations’ (U.N.) nuclear watchdog urged Russia and Ukraine to abide by five principles in order to protect the station. Neither Russia nor Ukraine have made a commitment to uphold the principles so far.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been trying to reach a deal to secure an agreement between the two conflicting nations and avoid a catastrophic nuclear accident caused by military activities.
In a briefing to the U.N. Security Council, Grossi said the principles include prohibiting attacks on or from the plant as well as using it as a base for large amounts of military equipment. He called for the plant to have reliable and secure off-site power.
“The nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant … continues to be extremely fragile and dangerous,” he said. “Military activities continue in the region and may well increase very considerably in the near future.”
Russian lawmakers have since issued a warning that more attacks on Moscow could be expected, which many believed would necessitate granting the military and security agencies even greater powers..
“The sabotage and terrorist attacks of Ukraine will only increase,” said Alexander Khinshtein, from the ruling United Russia bloc. “It is necessary to radically strengthen defense and security measures, especially in terms of countering drones. This includes finally passing the necessary laws.”
