Putin Said to Evade Moscow as Ukrainian Drones Strike Capital
Ukrainian drones bombed Moscow overnight, prompting reports that President Vladimir Putin has moved east of the Urals to avoid the attacks.
Ukrainian forces launched a massive drone assault on Moscow and a Wildberries distribution centre in Podolsk, resulting in the death of an 83-year-old resident and multiple injuries. Telegram channel Mozhem Obyasnit and one outlet say President Vladimir Putin has left the capital, travelling beyond the Urals and spending time in Siberia and the Far East, even disguising his arrival in Novosibirsk with a fake aircraft.
Local authorities ordered people along his motorcade route to remain indoors. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have downed 822 Ukrainian drones during the raid. Meanwhile, Andrei Klepach, a former appointee of Putin and chief economist at Vnesheconombank, warned that Russia is losing both technological and economic ground in the conflict, comments that led to his dismissal. Despite criticism, Putin has pledged to intensify his campaign and continues a tour of eastern cities to rally support.
Why it matters
The story shows how Ukraine's drone campaign is affecting Russia's leadership and war strategy.
How this story developed
- Aug 2 Ukrainian drone raids kill eight across Russian regions amid deep-strike campaign
- Aug 12 President Vladimir Putin said Russia will retaliate if EU members confiscate Russian cargo vessels, calling the moves akin to piracy.
- Aug 12 Senate Banking Committee members wrote to top officials demanding an explanation for the suspension of regular counter‑evasion sanctions on Russia.
- Aug 13 The attack ruptured two water pipelines, leading the city mayor to declare a state of emergency and limit water deliveries.
- Aug 13 A drone strike on a Russian beach near Gelendzhik killed seven people, including four children.
- Aug 13 Ukraine defence intelligence says Russia and North Korea are negotiating to increase North Korean troop presence in western Russia.
- Aug 13 Three grain terminals in Novorossiysk were reported damaged, with a loading gallery collapsing at United Grain's plant.
- Aug 13 Jet‑engine drones now account for roughly two‑thirds of the Russian unmanned aircraft used in recent attacks.
- Aug 13 Ukrainian drones struck a site in Bashkortostan, leading to an evacuation and a fire.
- Aug 14 Russia said its forces hit a railway station at the Danube port of Izmail and two tugboats near Mykolaiv, while Ukrainian drones sparked fires at the Baltic oil terminal of Ust-Luga and damaged a warehouse near Moscow.
- Aug 15 Putin publicly warned that Russia may seize European merchant vessels in retaliation for recent shadow‑fleet boardings.
- Aug 15 Ukraine announced the missile strikes on the Progress Centre and Savasleyka air base.
- Aug 16 Ukraine launched a large‑scale drone offensive against Russian regions.
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