A viral video showing an Antonov AN-124 flying low over Moscow has attracted widespread attention amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks, airport closures, and rising civilian casualties. The footage captures the massive Russian cargo plane soaring close to high-rise apartment buildings in a Moscow suburb during a tense period of security threats.
According to BBC reports citing Russian media, multiple drone warnings prompted the closure of several airports in the capital, including Sheremetyevo Airport located north of the city. Verified videos confirm that the aircraft was an Antonov AN-124 Ruslan cargo plane heading east, departing from Vnukovo International Airport approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) to the west.
The Antonov AN-124 is an imposing aircraft, measuring 226 feet in length with a wingspan of 240 feet, and weighing around 450 tons. Russian outlet SHOT reported that the pilot intentionally flew at a low altitude due to the presence of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the skies.
Residents of New Moscow recalled hearing a loud roar and expressed concern upon seeing the plane flying so close over their homes amid the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, Russian forces claim to have shot down around three dozen Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow. Ukraine, on the other hand, reported that Russian missiles, drones, and bombs have caused at least two civilian deaths.
In the midst of this conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to rally international support for his country. He addressed a UN gathering of world leaders on Tuesday, seeking to bolster global backing amid intensified hostilities.
The full-scale war, which began on February 24, 2022, continues to inflict significant suffering on Ukrainian civilians. Earlier this month, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported a 40% increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine during the first eight months of 2024 compared to the previous year. This rise has been attributed to Russia’s escalation of long-range missile attacks and localized drone strikes.
Additionally, a UN Human Rights Office report released Tuesday highlighted the dire conditions faced by thousands of civilians detained by Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territories.
As the conflict persists, the impact on civilian populations remains a critical concern for the international community.
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