Why Russians were not warned about the massive drone attack – ISW

Russian authorities did not activate sirens or send SMS alerts during a massive drone attack on Moscow on September 20. ISW analysts link this to the last day of voting in the State Duma elections, fearing a drop in turnout. Residents complained to the governor, but comments were disabled.

Russian authorities did not activate air raid sirens or send SMS warnings to residents during a massive drone attack on Moscow and the Moscow region that occurred on September 20. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) link this decision to the last day of voting in the State Duma elections. According to their assessment, an official threat warning could have led to lower voter turnout. The ISW report notes that authorities again resorted to restricting mobile communications without official explanations. Residents of the Moscow region left complaints about the lack of warnings in the Telegram channel of Governor Andrei Vorobyov, but commenting was disabled. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported strikes on the Moscow Oil Refinery and damage to a residential building. Earlier, authorities claimed hundreds of drones were heading toward Moscow and more than 1,600 UAVs were shot down, about 450 of which were flying toward the capital.