Russian state TV networks ignore latest drone attacks

Russia’s state-controlled television networks reportedly said nothing about the latest drone attack on Moscow, which damaged a building in the Moscow City skyscraper complex overnight on July 30, during their morning news shows.

Channel One ignored the events in Moscow in both its 6:00 a.m. and its 10:00 a.m. broadcasts, focusing instead on a St. Petersburg parade, which President Vladimir Putin will participate, in honor of Russia’s Navy.

Russia-1 dedicated its 10:00 a.m. newscast, its morning news show, to the Navy parade in Petersburg and to a conversation Putin held with journalists following the Russia–Africa Summit.

NTV reported on the parade, Putin’s conversation, natural disasters elsewhere in Russia, and the birthday of Irina Viner, a celebrated rhythmic gymnastics coach.

According to the Russian authorities, Moscow has been attacked by drones three times in the past week. In addition to last night’s attack on Moscow City, on June 24, a drone struck near the headquarters of the cyber espionage group Fancy Bear; and on June 28, a drone was reportedly shot down outside of Moscow. Following the July 24 attack, independent news outlet The Insider reported that Russian state-controlled television networks were barred from discussing drone attacks on air.