Ukraine Launches Largest Drone Attack on Moscow, Killing One and Disrupting Flights
Ukraine carried out its most extensive drone assault on Moscow early Tuesday, targeting the Russian capital with at least 91 drones. The attack resulted in one fatality, multiple injuries, fires, and the temporary closure of major airports, according to Russian officials.
Russia’s defense ministry reported that 337 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across different regions, including 126 over Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have been retreating. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the strike as “the most massive enemy UAV attack” on the city but assured that air defenses successfully repelled the assault.
In the Moscow region, Governor Andrei Vorobyov confirmed that one person was killed, three were injured, and residents of a multi-story building in Ramenskoye, southeast of the Kremlin, had to evacuate due to damage. Despite the attack, daily life in central Moscow continued without major disruptions.
Russia’s aviation authority temporarily suspended flights at all four major Moscow airports, as well as in Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod, to ensure air safety. Meanwhile, the attack coincided with Ukrainian officials preparing to meet U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia to explore potential peace talks, while Russian forces intensified their offensive in Kursk.
Drones Reshaping Warfare
Drones have become a defining element of the war, combining traditional trench and artillery tactics with modern aerial warfare. Both Russia and Ukraine have invested heavily in drone technology, turning commercial drones into lethal weapons and developing advanced defenses against them. Moscow has implemented electronic countermeasures and air defense systems to prevent strikes on key installations, including the Kremlin.
Kyiv, which has faced relentless Russian drone strikes, has retaliated with drone attacks on oil refineries, airfields, and even strategic radar sites deep within Russian territory. Both sides have leveraged drone warfare for military and propaganda purposes, with footage of drone strikes being widely circulated.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned Ukraine’s targeting of civilian infrastructure, labeling such attacks as “terrorism” and vowing retaliation. Despite the ongoing war, Moscow has remained economically resilient, benefiting from an unprecedented defense spending surge since the Cold War.
