MOSCOW hit by Drone Strike, UK Estimates 700,000 Russian Troops Have Been Killed
Moscow - A wave of drone strikes targeted Moscow and its suburbs early Sunday morning, injuring one woman and temporarily disrupting flights at several major international airports. Meanwhile, Ukraine was hit with a nighttime wave of drones from Russia, officials reported.
According to the chief of the UK Defense Staff, Tony Radakin, Russian forces have suffered their worst month of casualties in October since their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He estimated that Moscow's troops have lost an average of 1,500 dead and wounded every single day, bringing their total losses in the war to 700,000.
In a statement on Sunday, Radakin highlighted the human toll of Russia's conflict with Ukraine, saying, "The enormous pain and suffering that the Russian nation is having to bear because of Putin's ambition."
Russia reportedly shot down 70 drones overnight across its territory, including 34 targeting Moscow's outskirts. Fights were briefly grounded at major international airports, including Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo.
A woman in her 50s suffered burns after drone fire broke out in her village southeast of Moscow, local Gov. Andrei Vorobyov reported.
Despite no harm being done to the city itself, Russian channels on Telegram carried eyewitness reports of drone debris setting fire to suburban homes.
However, according to Radakin, normal Russians are paying an "extraordinary price" for the war, as Russia makes tactical gains in Ukraine's industrial east.
Russia has been making territorial advances and putting pressure on Ukraine. According to the UK Defense Staff leader, Moscow's mounting defense spending is straining the country further, however.
UK National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that President Biden will urge incoming US President Donald Trump not to abandon Ukraine after taking office in January, signaling unity among Western partners against Russia's aggression.
The US President-elect and his predecessor Joe Biden are set to meet at the White House on Wednesday.
At least 145 drones were launched by Russia into Ukraine overnight. According to the Ukrainian air force, 62 of the attacks were neutralized, while a further 67 were "lost", likely due to electronic jamming that caused them to veer off course.
Meanwhile, in Odesa, the southern port city, at least one person has been injured as Russian drones hit residential areas.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have kept casualty figures under lock since the start of full-scale war. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the attacks also left a further 40 residential structures damaged after the attack on Odesa.
Russia Launches Record Drone Attack from Ukraine as US and Germany Signal War-weary Allies
A nighttime drone wave from Russia has plagued Moscow for several months in an effort to weaken its economy, with some experts speculating that Putin's plans may now become increasingly "aggressive."