At least three people were killed and more than a dozen others injured after a large-scale overnight drone assault struck Moscow and surrounding areas late Saturday, according to Russian authorities.
Officials described the attack as one of the most significant strikes against the Russian capital region since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. The incident highlighted Ukraine’s growing capacity to launch long-range drone operations deep inside Russian territory despite extensive air defense systems.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that Russian air defense forces intercepted more than 120 drones near the capital within a 24-hour period. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that a total of 556 Ukrainian drones were destroyed across multiple regions overnight, marking one of the largest drone offensives since the war began.
Emergency services responded to several damaged locations across the Moscow region after debris from intercepted drones reportedly struck residential and industrial areas. Authorities said rescue teams worked through the night to assist victims and assess structural damage.
The strikes triggered temporary disruptions in transportation and heightened security measures across the capital. Residents reported hearing repeated explosions and air defense activity throughout the night as Russian forces attempted to repel the aerial assault.
The latest escalation comes as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify on multiple fronts. In recent months, Ukraine has increasingly relied on drone warfare to target military infrastructure, fuel depots, and strategic facilities inside Russia, aiming to weaken Moscow’s operational capabilities far from the battlefield.
Russian officials condemned the attack and accused Kyiv of targeting civilian areas, while Ukrainian authorities have generally maintained that operations inside Russia are intended to undermine military logistics connected to the ongoing war.
The overnight strike underscored the changing nature of the conflict, where advanced drone technology has become a central component of modern warfare, allowing both sides to conduct operations far beyond traditional front lines.
HANDOUT / UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE / AFP.
