Moscow mayor says air defences downed three approaching drones

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FILE PHOTO: Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin attends a military parade on Victory Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin attends a military parade on Victory Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

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MOSCOW - Sergei Sobyanin, Moscow's mayor, said on Wednesday that air defence forces had downed three drones en route to Russia's capital.

"The Defence Ministry's air defence forces repelled an attack by three drones flying towards Moscow. Emergency services specialists are working at the site where the debris fell," Sobyanin said on Telegram.

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that air defence units had shot down 159 Ukrainian drones over various Russian regions, and that at least six had been shot down over the Moscow region, which has a population of over 20 million.

Russia's aviation watchdog said on Wednesday that three of Moscow's airports had resumed operations after temporary restrictions had been introduced to ensure the safety of flights. REUTERS

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