Moscow, Russia – The Russian military reported a significant drone attack by Ukrainian forces across multiple regions, leading to the downing of 337 drones. This marks the largest Ukrainian drone assault on Russia in three years, with the attack targeting several areas including the capital, Moscow. The incident occurred as a Ukrainian delegation was scheduled to meet with American officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss peace talks concerning the ongoing conflict with Russia.
According to Russian Defense Ministry statements, the majority of the drones, 126 in total, were intercepted over the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, with 91 more shot down over Moscow. The Defense Ministry also mentioned other regions like Belgorod, Bryansk, and Voronezh, all located along the border with Ukraine, as well as areas deeper within Russia such as Kaluga, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Oryol, and Ryazan.
The attack resulted in casualties, with the governor of the Moscow region confirming one fatality and multiple injuries. Reports indicated that seven apartments in a residential building were damaged in the region, and several cars caught fire in a nearby parking lot. In addition, one person was wounded on a highway in the Lipetsk region due to the incident.
In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that over 70 drones were aimed at the city but were successfully intercepted before reaching their targets. The mayor noted minor damage to a building’s roof and the surrounding area. Flights at six airports, including key locations like Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo, were affected by the drone activity, leading to restricted air traffic. Train operations at the Domodedovo railway station were also briefly suspended as a precaution.
Local authorities in the Tula and Vladimir regions, adjacent to Moscow, also reported drone activity, although these incidents were not included in the official Defense Ministry statement. The reasons behind the exclusion of these regions from the report remain unclear, as investigations into the extensive drone attack continue.