Russian Air Defences Shot Down Ukrainian Drone, Moscow Claims
According to Moscow, Russian air defences shot down Ukrainian drone flying over Russian territory. The drone crashed on Sunday in the town of Kireyevsk, around 400 kilometers (249 miles) from the Ukrainian border, according to the defense ministry.
According to Russian official media, at least three persons were hurt in an explosion after the ship was brought down.
Ukraine has previously denied reports that it used explosive drones to assault Russian civilian targets and has yet to comment on this event.
Putin's troops shoot down U.S-made drones; Russia foils Ukraine attack in Moscow, Zaporizhzhia
The Details Of The Incident
COPYRIGHT_SZ: Published on https://stationzilla.com/russian-air-defences-shot-down-ukrainian-drone/ by Alexander McCaslin on 2023-03-28T06:18:52.143Z
Moscow has installed hundreds of drones against Ukraine. Russian law enforcement authorities said the drone - thought to be a Strizh-type (Tu-141) UAV equipped with explosives - was brought down at 15:20 local time (13:20 BST), producing a big crater in the center of Kireyevsk.
The town, which is 220 kilometers south of Moscow in the Tula region, reportedly sustained damage to a number of apartments, but no serious injuries were reported.
Moscow's Response
In a remark on its Telegram channel, the Russian Defence Ministry accused Ukraine of attempting to carry out a strike.
“„The grouping of Russian air defence systems deployed in the Tula region - S-300 and Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as Pole-21 electronic warfare systems - provide reliable cover from this direction.
- Russian Defence Ministry
“„In particular, the Pole-21 electronic warfare complex handled the Ukrainian strike drone, which resulted in its navigation system being disabled.
- Russian Defence Ministry
In December, Moscow announced that three Russian air force servicemen were killed after being injured by falling debris from a drone shot down at the Engels airport in the country's south.
Since Moscow started its full-fledged invasion in February, Russia has regularly utilized the Engels air station to undertake missile strikes on numerous Ukrainian targets.
Rising Tensions
The incident marks a significant escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which have been locked in a long-standing conflict over the disputed region of Crimea.
In recent months, both sides have accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement and carrying out cross-border attacks.
The Ukrainian government has condemned the incident and called on Russia to de-escalate the situation.
“„Such provocative actions only serve to further destabilize the region and increase tensions between our two countries.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
The downing of the Ukrainian drone has also raised concerns over the safety of civilian airspace in the region.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has called for a thorough investigation into the incident, stating that "any actions that jeopardize the safety of civilian aircraft are unacceptable".
The incident comes amid a backdrop of increasing tensions between Russia and the West, with the US and its allies imposing a series of sanctions on Moscow in response to its actions in Ukraine and other areas.
The downing of the Ukrainian drone is likely to further strain relations between the two countries, and could potentially lead to further escalation in the region.
Ukraine Response
The Ukrainian government has yet to issue an official response to Moscow's claims but has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the incident and its implications for regional security.
As the situation between Ukraine and Russia continues to unfold, many are calling for calm and urging both sides to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully.
The downing of the Ukrainian drone serves as a stark reminder of the risks and dangers of the ongoing conflict in the region and underscores the need for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the crisis.
Final Words
The shooting down of the Ukrainian drone by Russian air defenses has once again highlighted the fragile nature of the situation in the Donbass region.
With tensions between Russia and Ukraine at an all-time high, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming days and weeks.
