Drone apocalypse: Kremlin shaken to its core by unprecedented attack!
On the morning of May 3rd, 2023, Moscow's political landscape was rattled by a disturbing incident. Footage of a drone exploding over the Kremlin, the nerve center of Russia's power politics, began to circulate on social media. The video shows smoke rising into the air, signalling an attack on the country's most iconic landmark. The assault took place in the early hours of Wednesday, with the clock on the nearby Spassky Tower showing the times of 2:27 and 2:43. The first drone was reportedly destroyed with little more than a puff of smoke, while the second left blazing wreckage on the dome of the Kremlin.
The attack drew immediate attention from people around the world, who began to speculate about the cause and the country responsible for the assault. With the Kremlin serving as the mitochondria of Russia's power politics, any attack on the site is bound to have significant consequences. As investigations continue into the incident, authorities are scrambling to identify the perpetrators of the attack and prevent any further security breaches. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the political community and raised concerns about the safety of high-profile landmarks across the world.
The attack raised eyebrows from Washington to Moscow and ignited a flurry of conspiracy theories on social media about who, why, and how the drone attack was administered. Although no casualties were reported due to the nature of the attack, which was not strong, the explosion occurred near a flagpole on top of the Kremlin Senate dome. The implications of this incident are significant, given the location of the attack and the fact that it targeted one of the world's most potent and influential governments. It remains unclear who was responsible for the attack and their motivations. However, this event has undoubtedly rattled nerves in the international community, and it is sure to have far-reaching consequences.
Drone attacks have become increasingly prevalent on the global stage in recent years. From the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war to US drone strikes in Pakistan that have killed between 2000-3000 militants, to drone strikes in Yemen, unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) or weaponized commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) warfare has become a widespread tactic in modern warfare. Controlled remotely by a concerned owner, drone warfare has given rise to a new era of aerial combat. The most prominent manufacturers of operational aerial vehicles in 2019 were the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, France, India, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, and Poland. However, since then, Ukrainian enterprises Ukroboronprom and Aerorozvidka have built strike-capable unmanned aerial vehicles that have been used in combat.
While the US military has been involved in drone strikes since the early 2000s, including in Afghanistan during, code-named Operation Neptune Spear, carried out in a CIA-led operation, the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, and other countries, the democratization of drone warfare technology means that even small governments and non-state actors can use unmanned aerial vehicles to enhance their air power capability. As the prevalence of drone attacks continues to grow, concerns over the potential for civilian casualties and the impact on international relations are on the rise. As such, it is essential that policymakers and military leaders consider the implications of this new era of warfare carefully.
What Russia says about the attack?
In the aftermath of the drone attack on the Kremlin, the Russian government has levelled serious accusations against Ukraine. According to the Russian presidency, Ukraine attempted to strike President Putin's residence on May 3rd in what they described as a "planned terrorist attack" by the Zelensky-led Ukrainian government. However, this incident is more than just a terrorist attack, as it has violated Russia's territorial integrity within its own country.
Vyacheslav Voldin, the speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament, has issued a statement demanding the use of weapons capable of stopping and destroying the "Kyiv terrorist regime." This statement highlights Russia's resolve to retaliate against Ukraine, and the country reserves the right to take retaliatory measures "where and when it sees fit."
Ukrainian response
Despite the serious accusations made by the Russian government, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically denied any involvement in the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin. During a visit to Finland, Zelensky firmly refuted the Russian claims, stating that Ukraine does not attack Putin or Moscow and that they are only defending their own villages and cities on their own territory.
Furthermore, Ukraine has accused Russia of using these allegations as a pretext to deflect attention away from its activities on Ukrainian territory. Although Ukraine has carried out drone strikes in the past within Russian territory and Crimea, it is not claiming responsibility for this alleged attack. It is presumed, however, that Ukraine is involved in this so-called terrorist attack.
Moreover, it is noteworthy that the Russian president rarely stays overnight in the Kremlin, which raises questions about the veracity of the accusations levelled against Ukraine. It is possible that Russia may have been indirectly involved in the attack in order to disguise their true intentions and to blame their opponent, or to deflect attention and create a pretext for further attacks.
When asked about the reason for Russia's self-attack and subsequent accusations against Ukraine, President Zelensky explained that it is a result of Russia's lack of victories, and Putin's inability to motivate his society and send his troops to their deaths. In light of this, Putin needs to find ways to motivate his people to move forward and continue their efforts, which could include blaming Ukraine for attacks that Russia may have carried out themselves.
US angle on the drone attack
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US think tank, has argued that it is highly unlikely for two drones to successfully breach multiple layers of air defence, detonate, or be shot down over the Kremlin in such a way as to generate striking footage. Russia may have orchestrated the attack to highlight the danger posed to its citizens and to get ready for a larger mobilisation, the ISW has suggested. The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has hypothesized that Russia may be able to prevent two drones from successfully breaching numerous air defences, exploding, or being shot down over the Kremlin in enough time to produce compelling footage.
High-profile officials have reacted skeptically to Russia's claim that Ukraine attempted to assassinate President Putin. The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has questioned the veracity of the Russian charge and said that he would treat anything spoken by President Putin with "a very large shaker of salt." Similarly, Mick Mulroy, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence and CIA officer, has stated that if the incident is true to reports, it is unlikely to have been an attempt at assassination because the Russian President was not in Moscow at the time. If the rumors are false, on the other hand, Russia might be using them as a cover to assassinate President Zelensky, as it has in the past.
The future trajectory of the attack
There have been various contentions regarding Russia's retaliatory assault on Kyiv. The Ukrainian advisor has expressed concern that Russia may deliberately target the civilian populace and justify such attacks as a countermeasure. Additionally, the former Russian president has commented that it is imperative to eliminate the Zelensky government and its associates for the betterment of Russia's prosperity and defence. The Moscow mayor has also acknowledged the security lapse in Russia's air defense system and announced a ban on unauthorized drone flights over the city. Given that Russia is preparing for the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, where foreign dignitaries are expected to be in attendance, the country needs to strengthen its internal security and air defence systems.
Ukrainian officials have expressed apprehension that Russia may intentionally target innocent civilians and subsequently rationalize such actions as necessary countermeasures. Similarly, the former Russian president has opined that it is imperative to remove the Zelensky government and its associates to enhance Russia's well-being and safeguard its interests. Furthermore, the Moscow mayor has acknowledged a security lapse in Russia's air defence system and has consequently imposed a prohibition on the unauthorized operation of drones in the city. As Russia gears up for the May 9 Victory Day parade, which is expected to be attended by foreign dignitaries, there is a need to bolster the country's internal security and air defence capabilities.
Conclusion
The recent drone attack on the Kremlin has brought into question the effectiveness of Russia's defense system. The incident has heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the world is closely watching how the situation will unfold in the coming days. It remains to be seen what retaliatory measures Russia will take to counter Ukraine's response to the drone attack. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with a particular focus on the actions taken by the United States. The U.S. has a significant stake in the outcome of this conflict, and any response by the country is likely to have far-reaching consequences.
As the situation evolves, it is crucial to examine the potential implications of the drone attack on the broader geopolitical landscape. The incident has the potential to escalate into a full-blown conflict, with severe implications for the stability of the region and the world. It is therefore essential for all stakeholders to exercise restraint and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issue peacefully.
References
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Little would make sense about a drone attack on the Kremlin in Russia. Except this | CNN
3. Heintz, J. ( 4 May 2023). Real or not, Report Kremlin drone attack unsettles Russia. Abc news
Real or not, reported Kremlin drone attack unsettles Russia - ABC News (go.com)
4. Rosenberg, S., (5 May 2023). Who was behind the Kremlin drone attack?. BBC
Who was behind the Kremlin drone attack? - BBC News
5. Trevelyan, M. ( 4 May 2023). Kremlin drone incident: What do we know? Reuters
Kremlin drone incident: What do we know? | Reuters
6. Yerushalmy, J. Sauer, P. (4 May 2023). False flag or genuine attack? What we know about drone incidents The Guardian
False flag or genuine attack? What we know about the Kremlin drone incident | Russia | The Guardian
7. Analysis: Kremlin drone attack is highly embarrassing for Moscow - BBC News
Pic Courtesy-To the concerned
(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)
