A viral video has captured an Antonov AN-124 flying low over a Moscow suburb amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks, airport closures, and rising civilian casualties. The footage shows the massive Russian cargo plane soaring just above high-rise apartment buildings, highlighting the heightened tensions in the Russian capital.
According to the BBC, Russian media reported that numerous drone warnings led to the halting of flights at Moscow’s airports, including the closure of Sheremetyevo Airport, located north of the city. Verified videos revealed that the aircraft was an Antonov AN-124 Ruslan cargo plane, heading eastward away from Vnukovo International Airport, which lies about 6 km (3.7 miles) to the west.
The Antonov-124 is an enormous military transport aircraft, measuring 226 feet in length, with a wingspan of 240 feet and a maximum weight of 450 tons. Russian outlet SHOT reported that the pilot intentionally flew at a low altitude to avoid Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in the airspace.
Residents of New Moscow described hearing a loud roar and feeling uneasy as they spotted the giant plane flying over their homes.
The events unfolded amid swarms of Ukrainian kamikaze drones striking Moscow overnight and into the morning on Tuesday, severely disrupting flights and causing widespread alarm. According to the Associated Press, Russian forces claimed to have shot down around three dozen Ukrainian drones targeting the capital.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that Russian missiles, drones, and bombs killed at least two civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continued to seek stronger international support at a United Nations gathering of world leaders held on Tuesday.
The full-scale war, which began on February 24, 2022, continues to have a devastating impact on Ukrainian civilians. Earlier this month, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights revealed that civilian casualties in Ukraine increased by 40% in the first eight months of this year compared to 2023, attributed to escalated Russian long-range missile strikes and localized drone attacks.
Additionally, a report released by the UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday highlighted the dire conditions faced by thousands of civilians detained by Russian forces in areas of Ukraine under Russian control.
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