Moscow has experienced its largest Ukrainian drone attack since the full‑scale war began, with close to 200 unmanned aircraft launched against targets around the Russian capital. Thick columns of smoke rose high into the sky as the drones traveled across the metropolitan area.
Local governor Andrei Vorobyov said 17 people were wounded in the Moscow region during the onslaught. Russian defence ministries reported that, over 24 hours, 1,000 drones and four Ukrainian cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed nationwide, though the attack still inflicted casualties.
The blast also struck an oil depot in the southern Rostov region, with one person killed in the incident. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strikes as a new phase of "long‑range sanctions," a diplomatic shorthand for long‑distance attacks on Russian territory.
According to BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg, the operation marks a significant escalation in the conflict, underscoring the increasing use of drone technology by Ukrainian forces and prompting questions about how Russia will adapt its defence tactics moving forward.
For deeper analysis, read the full story on the BBC and stay updated on live developments as they unfold.
