Ukraine Drone Strike Shuts Moscow Airports

A large-scale drone attack by Ukraine forced the temporary closure of two major Moscow airports this morning (24 January). Russian authorities claimed that air defense systems intercepted 121 Ukrainian UAVs, with attacks reported at four locations around the Russian capital. Additional interceptions occurred in the Kolomna and Ramenskoye districts southeast of Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the attacks but did not specify the exact number of drones involved.

This escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict coincides with reports from South Korea’s military that North Korea is preparing to deploy additional troops to support Russia’s war efforts. Despite sustaining heavy casualties and having soldiers captured, Pyongyang reportedly intends to bolster its existing deployment of 11,000 troops. This move highlights North Korea’s deepening involvement in the conflict, raising concerns about further international complications.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Vladimir Putin for prolonging the war in Ukraine. Trump expressed a desire to meet Putin to work toward ending the conflict. However, his remarks took a contradictory turn during an interview with Fox News, where he suggested the war might have been avoided had Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky capitulated before Russia’s invasion began.

The drone attack underscores the escalating tensions in the region as global leaders and international alliances take sides. While Ukraine intensifies its countermeasures against Russia, the involvement of North Korea in the conflict adds a new layer of complexity. The conflicting narratives from world leaders like Trump further complicate the discourse, highlighting the ongoing challenges in achieving peace.

References

• Ukraine-Russia latest: Major drone attack on Putin’s forces by Kyiv as North Korea ‘prepares more troops’