Russian authorities have leveled accusations against Ukraine, alleging that they carried out a drone attack on a structure in Moscow, resulting in an explosion audible throughout the city's commercial hub.

Sergei Sobyanin, the Mayor, revealed that the drone was intercepted by air defenses, and its debris descended onto the Expo Center in the city. This occurrence is the most recent occurrence of a series of similar incidents targeting the Russian capital.

Unverified videos circulated on social media, depicting dense gray smoke ascending into Moscow's nighttime sky. At the time of this event, there was no immediate response from Ukraine; however, Kyiv officials have never officially admitted responsibility for launching attacks on Moscow.

As per Russia's defense ministry on Telegram, the attack transpired around 04:00 local time (01:00 GMT). The ministry reported that after triggering the city's air defense systems, the drone altered its course and ultimately landed on a non-residential edifice on the Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment—an area in Moscow that houses several government structures. The ministry noted that there were no initial indications of casualties.

Situated within a distance of fewer than 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the Kremlin, the Expo Center is an expansive venue for exhibitions, conferences, and conventions.

A witness who was in the area told Reuters news agency the attack had caused "a powerful explosion".

The Russian defense ministry said the debris had not caused a fire, while Mr. Sobyanin said the drone had caused "no significant damage" to the building.

One Russian state-owned news agency, Tass, reported that one of the outer walls of the center had partially collapsed, citing emergency services. It said the affected area was around 30 sq m (323 sq ft).

Moscow's Vnukovo Airport also closed following the incident, Tass said but reopened a short time later.

Until earlier this year, Moscow remained untouched by the war in Ukraine, but in recent months has been targeted by drone strikes.

On 30 May, several buildings were reported damaged in a wave of strikes.

On 30 and 31 July, two separate drones crashed into the glass facade of a skyscraper just a few hundred meters from the Expo Center.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the time that the war was "returning to the territory of Russia" and that this was an "inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair process".

Hours before the latest strike in Moscow, a Ukrainian sea drone was destroyed during an attempted attack on Russia's naval fleet in the Black Sea, Russia's defense ministry said.

What a tragedy, I prayed that it will not affect the occupants much.

I pray it doesn't affect the people much

Too bad

Bad