Following a drone attack in the Moscow region, the "Mega Khimki" shopping mall was closed
In the Moscow region, the “Mega Khimki” shopping and entertainment center—one of the first and largest mega-malls in Russia—closed following a large-scale drone attack. According to preliminary reports, debris from a downed drone fell onto the building’s roof and caused a fire, Russian media report.
In the Moscow region, the large Mega Khimki shopping and entertainment center ceased operations following a nighttime drone attack. The complex’s administration reported that the mall is closed “for technical reasons,” and it is currently unknown when it will reopen.
Information about the temporary closure appeared on the complex’s official website as early as May 17. The very next morning, a hotline operator confirmed that there is currently no specific timeline for resuming operations. On the night of May 17, Moscow and the Moscow region suffered one of the largest drone attacks since the start of the full-scale war. According to Russian sources, more than 120 drones were flying toward the capital.
According to eyewitnesses, debris from one of the downed UAVs fell onto the roof of “Mega Khimki,” after which a fire broke out there. Videos showing smoke rising from the building and footage of rescue workers at the scene were also posted on social media.
In addition to the shopping center, residential buildings in various districts of the Moscow region were damaged. Russian authorities reported the death of a woman and one other casualty. The “Mega Khimki” shopping center opened in 2004 and became one of the first modern megamalls in Russia. Before the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the complex belonged to the Swedish group Ingka, which operates the IKEA chain in various countries around the world. After the company withdrew from the Russian market, the shopping center came under local management.
There is currently no official information on the extent of the damage to the building. It is also unknown when the shopping center will be able to resume normal operations.
On the night of May 17, a number of military-industrial complex and energy facilities in Moscow and the Moscow region were struck. Strikes were carried out on an oil depot in Durikino, an oil refinery in Kapotnya, the Angstrom microelectronics plant, and the Raduga Design Bureau, which develops cruise missiles.
On the morning of May 16, Moscow also came under attack by drones, causing airports in the Russian capital to temporarily suspend operations.
The “ATESH” partisan movement claimed responsibility for a sabotage operation in the Moscow region, which disrupted the functioning of elements of the Russian air defense system on the outskirts of the capital.
