Russian authorities claim to have intercepted nearly 500 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during a massive wave of drone strikes over the past two days. The aerial attacks targeted multiple regions across the country, including the capital, Moscow, prompting disruptions at several major airports and temporary evacuations.
According to a statement from Russia’s Ministry of Defense on Thursday, Ukrainian forces launched a coordinated drone assault beginning Tuesday evening. The majority of the downed drones were intercepted in the border-adjacent regions of Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk, with Orel Region alone accounting for approximately 135 destroyed UAVs.
In an unexpected development, Moscow Region, which lies over 400 kilometers from the front line, also came under attack. The Defense Ministry reported that 63 fixed-wing drones were intercepted in the airspace surrounding the capital in a 48-hour period.
The Russian military also stated that its air defenses neutralized several JDAM-guided bombs and HIMARS-launched missiles, suggesting the use of mixed munitions in the large-scale offensive.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed that at least 40 drones were intercepted while approaching the capital. Though there were no reported casualties or significant damage, drone fragments reportedly landed near civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten in the Domodedovo district.
Local official Evgeniya Khrustaleva said the debris prompted an emergency evacuation of 98 children and staff. No injuries were reported, and regional children’s rights commissioner Ksenia Mishonova stated that the evacuation was completed smoothly.
The barrage caused repeated suspensions of flight operations at all three of Moscow’s major airports—Domodedovo, Zhukovsky, and Sheremetyevo—resulting in extensive delays. Videos circulating on Russian social media appeared to show drones in flight or being destroyed mid-air near residential zones.
Earlier this month, similar disruptions occurred in the days leading up to Russia’s Victory Day commemorations, which marked the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.
The drone offensive coincides with heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, following renewed diplomatic efforts that have yet to result in a formal ceasefire. While delegations from both sides recently met in Istanbul to discuss prisoner exchanges and possible terms for halting hostilities, attacks like these threaten to derail negotiations.
Moscow has consistently accused Kiev of using Western-supplied weapons and technology to carry out long-range strikes inside Russian territory, while Ukraine maintains that its operations are defensive in nature and target military infrastructure.