Russia Hit In Rare Drone Attack: What It Means

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Modern-day builders are rewinding time and using skills from the medieval-era to rebuild the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral after it was burned down in a horrific fire in 2019. Yes — the original techniques that builders used more than 800 years ago to build the world-famous monument are being used again today to resurrect it. How remarkable is that?

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🗞 DRONE STRIKE DEEP INSIDE RUSSIA

An attack on Russia’s capital is escalating tensions in the Ukraine war — and it has far-reaching implications. It is a rare strike deep inside the country.

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED
A large-scale drone attack hit Moscow on Tuesday morning in what one Russian lawmaker called the most dangerous attack on Moscow since WWII. The strike hit one of Moscow’s wealthiest districts — home to Russian President Vladimir Putin and other politicians. Two people were injured and several buildings sustained some minor damage. But it is the psychological impact that may be a bigger deal here for a Russian population that has been largely able to go about living their lives during this war.

It’s the first strike on a civilian area of Moscow since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. And it is almost certainly set to escalate fighting as the Kremlin is vowing the “harshest possible measures” in response.

UKRAINIAN GOV: IT WASN’T US
The Kremlin is blaming Ukraine, calling it a “terrorist attack.” In his first remarks following the attack, Putin insisted Kyiv was trying to scare and provoke Russia. Ukrainian government officials say they are not responsible for the strike, but are still “pleased” by it.

The White House says it’s still gathering information, but does not support the use of U.S.-made equipment for attacks inside Russia.

DUELING STRIKES
The strike on Moscow appears a retaliatory move by Ukraine. It came just hours after yet another barrage of attacks hit Kyiv—where civilians have been targeted for more than a year by Russian forces. In recent weeks, Putin’s forces have been engaged in a relentless bombardment of Ukraine nearly every night.

Ukrainian officials say this strike (despite the official denials) enables Moscow residents to experience what the people of Kyiv are going through. But, it also raises the prospect that Russia could use this as an excuse to ratchet up the strikes on Ukrainian civilians. Putin continues to face setbacks on the battlefield and is up against mounting political pressure to end the war he started. The question is how will he respond to the escalating (and embarrassing) attacks inside his own country?

UKRAINE READIES COUNTEROFFENSIVE
The war has mostly been fought inside Ukraine since Russia began the war last year. But it appears Ukraine is eyeing a shift in strategy: striking deep inside Russia. There was yet another drone strike across the border early Wednesday morning that hit a Russian oil refinery.

“It’s time.” Drone attacks against Russia have grown in intensity in recent weeks. Ukraine says its military is not orchestrating the attacks, but U.S. intel suggests otherwise. It’s unclear whether Ukrainian President Zelensky and his top officials were aware of these recent operations, but they come in the lead-up to an imminent counteroffensive by Ukraine’s forces.

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🗓 ON THIS DAY: MAY 31

• 1859: London’s famous clocktower, Big Ben, rings out over the Houses of Parliament in Westminster for the first time

• 1907: The first taxis begin operating in New York City

• 1921: The Tulsa Race Massacre began as a white mob attacked residents in the predominantly Black Greenwood neighborhood of the city. The ensuing violence destroyed Tulsa’s prosperous black neighborhood, killed hundreds and left thousands homeless. It is one of the worse incidents of racial violence in US history.

• 2000: Survivor premiered on CBS. It is set to come back for a 45th season later this year.