Kremlin Forced to Distance Itself From Maria Zakharova’s 9/11 Comments

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, has raised more than a few eyebrows after comparing the recent drone strikes on Moscow with the 9/11 attacks in New York. 

Speaking on the Soloviev Live TV channel, Zakharova said: “Let’s take a look at another example: the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers. It caused an enormous number of casualties but the methods were the same.

“The Moscow City district is a civilian site, which only hosts offices and a business center, along with living quarters - a great number of residential apartments - as well as civilian administrative buildings that have nothing to do with the military. 

“We are seeing the same picture now, as if it is repeating itself.” 

Zakharova’s comments were mocked on social media and even the Kremlin distanced itself from the comparison.

Putin’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin “doesn’t see” any analogy between the events, Meduza reported.

The 9/11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and completely destroyed the Twin Towers.

The drone strikes in Moscow shattered some windows and caused no casualties.

According to the UN, as of June 19 2023, 9,083 civilians have been killed and 15,779 injured since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

Since October of last year, Moscow has launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian cities – in May alone, Russia launched 563 missiles and Iranian-made Shahed drones. 

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On social media, commentators highlighted just how ridiculous Zakharova’s comments were.

Former US ambassador Steven Pifer mocked up a side-by-side image of what Zakharova claimed was “the same picture.”

Another account used a grim cartoon to illustrate Russia’s apparent logic.

Zakharova is no stranger to outlandish claims – in May, without reference to any evidence and obviously unchallenged by TASS, Zakharova said that illegal organ harvesting in Ukraine is an “accepted and proven fact.”

“This is a big business in armed conflict zones, extremely profitable for those who run it,” Zakharova said.

“The existence of this terrible bloody business is impossible without sponsorship at the highest government level.”