Ukraine's drone strikes target Moscow's rich areas

Intensity of attacks inside Russia up while Moscow hits Kyiv for third time in 24 hours

MOSCOW - Ukrainian drones struck wealthy districts of Moscow on Tuesday, in what one politician called the most dangerous attack since World War II, while Kyiv faced air strikes for the third time in 24 hours.

Drone attacks deep inside Russia have intensified in recent weeks, with strikes on oil pipeline installations and even the Kremlin earlier in May that Moscow has blamed on Ukraine.

Tuesday's early morning raid targeted some of Moscow's wealthiest areas, including where Russian President Vladimir Putin and the elite have homes. The leader was in the Kremlin later and received a briefing on the attack, a spokesman said.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said two people were injured, one of whom was hospitalised, in the early morning attack. Moscow's airports remained open. No deaths were reported.

Residents in south-western Moscow said they heard loud bangs, followed by the smell of petrol.

Some filmed a drone being shot down and a plume of smoke rising over the Moscow skyline.