In the last 24 hours, a number of photos and videos of what are supposed to be anti-aircraft systems being placed in and around the Russian capital Moscow have started to appear on social media.
The news agency AFP has also mentioned that air defense systems were visible on top of the building of the Russian Ministry of Defense on Friday, writes both Al Jazeera and Finnish Evening newspaper.
However, the Kremlin, through spokesman Dmitry Peskov, is vague in its response to whether Russia is now mobilizing to defend its capital against airstrikes. He refers to the Ministry of Defence.
– They are responsible for securing the country in general – and the capital in particular – therefore it is better to ask the Ministry of Defense about all possible measures, Peskov said on Friday.
The images that are circulating have not yet been verified by independent sources.
– What’s up?
An adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, Anton Gerashenko, has also posted a video of what he claims is an air defense system outside Moscow, about ten kilometers from what he claims is Putin’s residence.
– What’s going on, asks Gerashenko about the video he says is from 6 January.
On Thursday this week, Peskov warned the West against supplying weapons that would enable the Ukrainians to hit Russian territory.
– This is potentially extremely dangerous. That would mean escalating the conflict to a completely new level – and of course would not be good for both global and European security, Peskov warned.
In the last week, there have been major discussions about whether Western countries should send modern tanks to Ukraine. Germany has not yet allowed countries to send the Leopard 2 tank to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized the decision.
– There is no other alternative than sending heavy tanks to Ukraine, Zelenskyj said on Friday according to NTB.
