The capital of Russia has come under what authorities describe as the largest drone assault since the start of the full-scale war, with close to 200 Ukrainian drones reportedly striking targets around Moscow and sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
Local officials said at least 17 people were injured in the Moscow region during the overnight attacks, according to regional governor Andrei Vorobyov. Emergency services were deployed as multiple sites caught fire and several residential areas were evacuated.
Russia’s defence ministry claimed that nearly 1,000 drones and four cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed across the country within a 24-hour period, though independent verification of the figures has not been provided.
In the southern Rostov region, an oil depot was struck, resulting in at least one reported death, according to local authorities.
The attacks were part of a broader wave of strikes that also hit energy infrastructure around Moscow, including the Kapotnya refinery, which was reportedly struck for the third time in a month. Fires at the facility sent thick black smoke into the sky, with videos circulating online showing explosions and debris scattering across industrial zones.
Several residential buildings and a nearby shopping centre were also affected, reportedly after drone fragments fell in populated areas. Moscow’s four main airports were temporarily shut down, leading to the cancellation or delay of more than 500 flights.
The capital of Moscow lies roughly 500km from the Ukrainian border, but drone warfare has increasingly reached deeper into Russian territory as Kyiv expands its long-range capabilities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strikes as “long-range sanctions,” linking them to recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. He called for renewed diplomatic engagement but warned that continued escalation would bring the war closer to Russian territory.
“It’s time to end this war, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy,” Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine does not seek prolonged conflict.
Ukrainian officials also framed the attack as retaliation for recent Russian strikes on Kyiv, which reportedly damaged a major religious site.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities said air defences remained active across multiple regions as drone activity intensified. Social media footage showed explosions and aircraft activity despite official restrictions on publishing strike imagery.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the attack reflects Russia’s own wartime escalation, writing that Moscow residents are now experiencing the consequences of a war initiated by their government.
Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago, has not issued a detailed political response from President Vladimir Putin regarding the latest strike wave.
As both sides continue to intensify long-range attacks, the conflict shows increasing signs of deepening cross-border escalation, with civilian infrastructure and energy facilities becoming frequent targets.
