Ukraine reportedly planned a large-scale drone attack targeting Moscow's airport to draw Russia to the negotiating table but abandoned the operation due to concerns over civilian casualties.
According to a report by Yonhap News on August 22, the British daily Telegraph and the American magazine The Atlantic stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was briefed on a plan to neutralize Moscow's airport using artificial intelligence (AI) drones.
The operation, dubbed 'M&Ms,' aimed to disable Russia's air defense systems and disrupt civilian air traffic at Moscow's airport. Despite a significant reduction in international flights from Russia, services to Istanbul and Dubai continue to operate. Ukraine believed this could hinder the overseas movements of Russian elites and oligarchs, thereby applying pressure on President Vladimir Putin.
However, President Zelensky expressed concerns that the AI drones could mistakenly target civilian aircraft or airport facilities. The potential for civilian casualties among passengers, crew members, and airport staff was cited as a reason for halting the operation.
Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has focused on striking military targets within Russia while avoiding civilian casualties. The operation was reportedly suspended following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in July. However, the Telegraph noted that it remains unclear whether the plan was executed, as European nations have expressed concerns over attacks on civilian facilities.
Ed Arnold, a senior advisor at the British think tank The D Group, highlighted that European apprehension stems from the potential 'normalization of such actions.' If attacks on civilian facilities within Russia are deemed acceptable, it could lead to similar assaults on European airports by President Putin.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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