Ukraine's drone assault on Moscow intensifies war tensions
Following the most significant drone attack on Moscow that resulted in several fatalities, Russian politicians and commentators are threatening to use the Oreshnik missile in propaganda statements. By deploying over 300 drones, Ukraine is demonstrating its capabilities and negotiating with the United States, indicating that it holds substantial leverage, according to Dr. Wojciech Siegień, an expert on Russia from the University of Gdańsk.
“The drone attack on Moscow is not merely a message to Russia. Ukraine is also constructing a negotiating stance with Donald Trump. They are showing that, regardless of American support, they possess the capability to carry out substantial attacks on the Russian capital,” says Dr. Wojciech Siegień, an expert on Russian propaganda analysis and the host of the podcast "Eastern Block" on Political Criticism website, speaking to WP.
"The complexity of the negotiations lies in Ukraine's need to also engage with the Americans. They demonstrate: we are not afraid, so you shouldn't be afraid to set high demands on the Russians. The attack is an argument to build a case for halting aerial assaults,” comments the interlocutor.
On Tuesday, a meeting between Ukrainians and the American delegation took place in Saudi Arabia. This serves as a prelude to discussions about the conditions for ending the war in Ukraine. Just hours earlier, Ukraine launched over 300 drones toward Moscow.
Ukraine attacks Moscow
Ukraine declared that the drone attack on Moscow should compel Putin to consider the missile ceasefire proposal made recently. "The largest drone attack in history was carried out on Moscow and the surrounding region. This is an additional signal to Putin that he should also be interested in ceasing aerial attacks," stated Andrij Kovalenko, spokesman for the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that on the night of March 10 to 11, Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 337 Ukrainian drones, 126 of which were over the Kursk region, bordering Ukraine. The continuing wave of drones reached Moscow, where, according to Russian sources, 91 machines were shot down. According to the governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov, at least three people died, and 14 were injured.
The fatalities include a security guard working at Domodedovo airport, as well as a 38-year-old man in a parking lot outside a meat factory. According to Russian reports, four people were also victims of the drone shootdowns over the Kursk region. "This is the most significant Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions throughout the Russian-Ukrainian war," describe Russian media.
Russian revenge: will they use the Oreshnik missile again?
The Evening Moscow service reports that Russian State Duma politicians have appealed to Putin for an urgent strike on Ukraine using the Oreshnik ballistic missile. "The commander-in-chief will make the decision, but I think it's necessary to launch Oreshnik, preferably more than one," Andrei Kartapolov, a former military official and head of the defense committee in parliament, told journalists.
He described the massive drone attack on Moscow as a "pure propaganda move." According to him, the attack had no military objectives and coincided with the negotiations with the USA in Saudi Arabia. He issued a threat: "They show they can do something, so they must be extinguished, destroyed, and brought to order, nothing more."
"Politicians and propagandists who make such threats have no influence over the decision regarding the type of possible response. Their role is merely to stoke emotions in the media," comments Dr. Wojciech Siegień.
He notes that Russian propaganda took advantage of Feridun H. Sinirlioglu, the secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, being in Moscow. The official was driven around Moscow's block districts, where destruction was shown to him.
"The contrast of this situation was intensely ironic. The destruction in Moscow involves damaged facades and some burned cars. Meanwhile, Russia has bombarded Ukraine, turning entire buildings to rubble. Yet, this is seen as normal, and no official guest was taken to view the ruins in Ukraine," Dr. Wojciech Siegień continues.
In discussing Russian threats, Ukrainian media remind audiences that on November 21, 2024, Russian troops shelled the city of Dniepr with missiles. It was then that Russia used the Oreshnik intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time in an attack. The system did not use a "nuclear hypersonic warhead," commented Putin on the same day.
