The United Nations condemned the drone strike in Moscow on 30 May during a briefing led by the organization’s spokesperson on behalf of the Secretary General, Stefan Dujarric.
It was noted that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, and the UN stressed that this incident should not be used to equate it with the broader, ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The United States weighed in on the morning events in the Russian capital, stating that officials are reviewing the situation and gathering details. The White House National Security Council reiterated that the United States does not support attacks directed at Russia, in line with its long-standing position.
The administration emphasized Washington’s commitment to assisting Ukraine in reclaiming its sovereign territory and restoring stability in the region.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre later reiterated in response to questions about the incident that the United States is working to understand what happened and that it does not endorse attacks within Russia against Ukraine or any other party.
British foreign policy officials asserted that Ukraine possesses a legitimate right to self-defense, including actions beyond its borders when necessary to counter aggression and to protect its own soil.
The drone strikes in Moscow and the surrounding area were reported in the morning of 30 May. Various channels of information suggested dozens of drones may have been involved, though official confirmation remained pending. The Russian Ministry of Defense later stated that eight unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized—three through electronic warfare and five by air defense systems.
Reports described explosions in several districts of the Moscow region, including Rublyovka, Istra, Odintsovo, Krasnogorsk, and areas to the south and southwest of Moscow. In several residential blocks, drones reportedly struck apartments on Atlasova Street in New Moscow, Leninsky Prospekt, and Profsoyuznaya Street. One person sustained minor injuries, and residents were evacuated from affected buildings but were allowed to return after several hours.
The incident was characterized by Russian authorities as a terrorist attack. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov attributed the strike to Kiev in retaliation for recent Ukrainian assaults on decision-making centers, stating that it was part of a broader pattern and not an isolated event.
Later remarks from President Vladimir Putin suggested that Moscow’s air defense performed as expected, while the military leadership would continue to refine its response. Putin noted that the Kremlin believes Kyiv sought to provoke a mirrored reaction in Moscow through the drone operation and stressed that appropriate measures would be taken to ensure national security.
Chechnya’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, called for martial law to be declared in Russia to mobilize all available resources against Ukraine. He argued that aggressive actions attributed to Kyiv did not involve a conventional Ukrainian army, but rather a network of militants, and urged a hard, uncompromising response. He also described such tactics as the hallmark of terrorist activity and insisted that authorities respond with both firmness and resolve.
Across the spectrum of official statements, the tone emphasized defiance and readiness to act decisively in defense of Russian territory, while maintaining scrutiny of military developments and the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region. At the same time, international voices urged restraint and urged all parties to pursue de-escalation where possible and to protect civilian lives amid continued hostilities.