Russian state media deletes video of drone strike directed from central Moscow after angry bloggers argue it makes city a legitimate military target

The Russian state news agency RIA Novosti has deleted a story about a remote military drone operator based in central Moscow after it drew backlash from pro-war Telegram users, who warned it could give Ukraine grounds to target the city.

On Tuesday, RIA Novosti published a report on its website and Telegram channel describing how an FPV drone operator struck a Ukrainian target near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. The drone was reportedly controlled using Russia’s new Orbita system, which allows drones to be operated from anywhere.

In the accompanying video, the drone operator discussed the strike from a room with a view of the skyscrapers in the Moscow International Business Center, also known as Moscow City. “We are over a thousand kilometers away from the location. The operation was successful,” he said.

The post was swiftly criticized by pro-war military bloggers. “Am I right in understanding that after this video, if a kamikaze drone hits the Moscow skyscrapers, the enemy will claim it was targeting the drone operators?” wrote the Telegram channel Romanov Light. “So, Moscow City has suddenly become a legitimate military target. Well done, you really showed off,” said the channel Empire of Evil.

Following the backlash, RIA Novosti edited the story to remove all references to Moscow City and later deleted the video entirely. The original article is no longer available on the agency’s website.