Drone Attacks Near Moscow: Russia's Defense System Under Scrutiny

Drone Strikes Rock Russia: Explosions Reported Near Moscow On May 22, 2025, a series of explosions rocked several regions of Russia, including areas near Moscow, Tula, and Oryol. Initial reports suggest Ukrainian drones were responsible for the attacks, targeting military facilities and defense industry sites. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict and raises concerns about Russia's ability to defend its territory. Video footage circulating online shows plumes of smoke rising from the affected areas, and satellite imagery pinpoints the locations of the explosions. Valerii Rzhebik, a Ukrainian military expert, stated that Russia is struggling to protect all its military sites from such attacks. "They can't protect everything," he said, "hundreds of enemy sites are likely weakly defended." The attacks highlight the vulnerability of Russia's defense infrastructure and the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone technology. The attacks on Russian soil have sparked intense debate on social media, with widespread panic evident in Russian online platforms. The scale of the damage and the proximity of some targets to major cities underscore the severity of the situation. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict's unpredictable nature.