A high-end residential building in western Moscow was hit by a Ukrainian drone, causing extensive damage and scattering debris in the vicinity, as confirmed by city authorities and reports from Russian media outlets.
The incident has sparked heightened concerns among officials in Moscow, particularly as preparations are underway for the upcoming annual military Victory Day Parade on Red Square, which will involve a large contingent of Russian troops to mark the end of World War II.
There is growing apprehension in Moscow about a potential attack from Ukraine, especially with fears of disruption during the parade, where Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to deliver a significant speech.
The drone strike targeted the 36th floor of the Mosfilmovskaya tower, located in an area known as ‘Russia’s Hollywood’, with images revealing substantial destruction caused by the attack in the early hours of the morning.
Situated less than four miles from the Kremlin, the building reportedly accommodates high-ranking officials from Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), although these reports are yet to be officially confirmed.
Adjacent to an exclusive mansion complex where key figures such as Putin’s security council secretary, former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and the chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, reside, the high-rise is strategically positioned in proximity to influential individuals’ heavily guarded residences.
Ahead of Putin’s upcoming event this weekend, security measures have been heightened in the Kremlin, with snipers and machine gunners reportedly stationed on the towers and ramparts overlooking Red Square, as indicated by VChK-OGPU, a Telegram channel with alleged ties to security services, and affiliated Rucriminal sources.
In response to the perceived threat, armored vehicles and anti-drone weaponry are being deployed within the Kremlin premises, with special units equipped with firearms, sniper rifles, and specialized gear stationed across various vantage points.
To enhance security further, armed checkpoints have been established at the entry points to the Russian capital, underscoring the prevailing sense of caution and vigilance amidst concerns of potential attacks targeting Moscow.
While Moscow has largely remained untouched by Ukrainian offensives in recent times, the current situation has raised anxieties about the city’s vulnerability to potential strikes in the coming days.
Although Putin has suggested a brief ceasefire to facilitate the parade proceedings, Ukraine has advocated for a longer truce coupled with peace negotiations, although no formal ceasefire agreement has been reached thus far.
The anticipation surrounding Putin’s forthcoming Victory Day speech is palpable on a global scale, with his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov underscoring the speech’s significance, describing it as a pivotal moment eagerly awaited by audiences worldwide.