Ukraine Launches Largest Drone Attack on Moscow

MOSCOW: Ukraine carried out its most significant drone attack on Moscow on Tuesday, targeting the Russian capital with at least 91 drones, resulting in one fatality, several injuries, fires, and airport closures, according to Russian authorities.

Russian defense officials reported that a total of 337 Ukrainian drones were downed across the country, including 91 over Moscow and 126 in the Kursk region. The large-scale dawn assault coincided with ongoing peace talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, and as Russian forces continued their military efforts to encircle Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk.

Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that the city’s air defenses successfully repelled the drone attacks, but damage was still inflicted. At least one person was killed and three injured in the Moscow region, including in the Ramenskoye district, where residents were evacuated from a damaged multi-storey building.

Despite the attack, Moscow’s daily routine largely continued, with commuters going about their business in central areas. However, Russia’s aviation watchdog suspended flights at all four of Moscow’s airports and closed others in nearby regions to ensure air safety.

The drone strikes mark an escalation in the ongoing war, with both Ukraine and Russia employing increasingly advanced drone technology. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian infrastructure, including refineries and military airfields, while Russia has developed electronic countermeasures to defend Moscow and key installations.

Read more: U.S. and Ukraine Officials Meet in Saudi Arabia for War Talks

The continued use of drones has intensified the conflict, with both sides reporting fear and destruction caused by the aerial strikes. Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Ukraine’s drone attacks as acts of terrorism, vowing retaliation.

The drone war, part of the broader conflict between Ukraine and Russia, is becoming one of the most significant modern battles in Europe, combining traditional warfare with cutting-edge drone technology.