Moscow region hit by largest Ukrainian drone attack since war began
Moscow and its surrounding region were targeted by nearly 200 Ukrainian drones, in what officials say is the largest such attack since the start of the full-scale war. The attack took place over a 24-hour period, with Russian air defence systems intercepting and destroying almost 1,000 drones and four Ukrainian cruise missiles across the country, according to Russia's defence ministry.
Local governor Andrei Vorobyov reported that 17 people were wounded in the Moscow region. In the southern Rostov region, an oil depot was struck, resulting in one fatality. The attacks mark a significant escalation in Ukraine's ability to strike deep inside Russian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as delivering “long-range sanctions” — a term his administration uses for long-distance strikes on Russian soil. The comment was reported by the BBC's Russia editor Steve Rosenberg.
The drone barrage comes amid ongoing hostilities that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both sides have repeatedly targeted each other's infrastructure, with Ukraine increasingly using domestically produced long-range drones to hit targets inside Russia.
Analysts say the attacks are intended to put pressure on the Russian leadership and disrupt logistics. However, there has been no immediate indication from Moscow that it will alter its military strategy. The Kremlin has consistently described such strikes as acts of terrorism and has vowed to respond.
The development underscores the intensifying nature of the conflict, with civilian areas increasingly affected. The United Nations has called for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law, which prohibits indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations.
As the war enters its third year, both sides continue to explore new tactical approaches. The use of drones has become a defining feature of the conflict, with Ukraine leveraging its technological capabilities to offset Russia's numerical advantages in artillery and armour.
The full impact of these latest strikes on the ground and on the broader strategic calculus remains to be seen.
