Russia Faces Biggest Drone Attack on Capital Since War Began
Russia came under one of the largest drone assaults of the war overnight as Ukraine launched a sweeping attack targeting Moscow and several other regions, leaving at least four people dead and causing widespread disruption across the country.
Russian officials said three people were killed in the Moscow region after drones struck residential areas and damaged civilian infrastructure. A fourth person died in the Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border, where attacks have become increasingly frequent in recent months. Local authorities also reported multiple injuries and temporary evacuations as emergency crews responded to fires and debris from intercepted drones.
The Russian defence ministry claimed that air defence systems destroyed more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones over the past 24 hours, describing it as one of the most intense aerial assaults since the conflict began in 2022. While independent verification of the figures was not immediately possible, the scale of the operation marked a significant escalation in Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign against Russian territory.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said dozens of drones aimed at the capital were intercepted overnight. Despite the interceptions, several drones reportedly reached populated areas around the city, damaging apartment buildings, vehicles and power infrastructure. Videos circulating on Russian social media showed explosions lighting up the night sky while residents described hearing loud blasts and anti-aircraft fire across the region.
The attacks also forced temporary flight restrictions at major Moscow airports, disrupting air traffic during the early hours of Sunday. Authorities later restored operations after declaring the immediate threat under control.
The overnight assault comes at a time when both Russia and Ukraine are intensifying long-range strikes far from the front lines. Kyiv has increasingly relied on domestically produced drones to target military facilities, oil depots and logistics hubs deep inside Russia, arguing that such attacks are necessary to weaken Moscow’s war capabilities.
Ukraine did not immediately comment officially on the latest strikes. However, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said that attacks on Russian territory are aimed at reducing Moscow’s ability to launch missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities.
The latest barrage followed another wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure earlier this week. Analysts say the growing use of drones by both sides reflects how aerial warfare has evolved into a central element of the conflict, with low-cost unmanned systems now capable of reaching targets hundreds of kilometres away.
The Belgorod region, where one fatality was reported, has faced repeated shelling and drone attacks throughout the war due to its proximity to northeastern Ukraine. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said emergency services were working in affected districts after several buildings and vehicles were damaged overnight.
Military experts say the increasing frequency and scale of Ukrainian drone attacks could place additional pressure on Russian air defence systems, particularly around strategic and symbolic locations such as Moscow. Although Russia maintains one of the world’s largest air defence networks, the sheer number of drones launched in coordinated waves has made interception increasingly difficult.
The Kremlin has previously described attacks on Moscow as acts of terrorism and vowed retaliation. Russian officials have accused Ukraine and its Western allies of escalating the conflict by supporting long-range strike capabilities. Kyiv, meanwhile, argues that Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukrainian cities leaves it little choice but to expand operations beyond the battlefield.
The war, now entering its fourth year, shows little sign of slowing despite periodic diplomatic efforts and mounting international concern over civilian casualties on both sides. As drone technology becomes cheaper and more sophisticated, analysts warn that attacks deep inside Russian territory could become more common, further blurring the distinction between frontline combat zones and civilian areas.
Sunday’s attack is likely to fuel renewed debate over Russia’s internal security and the effectiveness of its air defences around the capital. It also highlights Ukraine’s growing ability to conduct coordinated strikes far beyond the front lines, signaling a new phase in the evolving drone war between the two countries. WHO Declares Congo-Uganda Ebola Outbreak Global Health Emergency | Maya
