Ukraine launches large-scale drone strike on Moscow, Russian defenses report dozens of drones downed
Ukraine carried out a major drone assault on Moscow, with Russian officials saying nearly 200 drones were intercepted and several strikes hit an oil refinery, injuring 17 people.
Ukraine conducted a coordinated drone attack on Moscow early Thursday, targeting the capital and its energy facilities. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defenses shot down almost 200 drones, though some managed to strike the city's main oil refinery for the second time this week. The attacks also caused a drone to crash into a megamall in southeast Moscow, igniting a fire, and another drone hit a high-rise apartment building, the cause of which remains unclear. Authorities reported 17 injuries and noted that black smoke lingered over the city for hours, prompting the temporary suspension of operations at all four Moscow airports.
"We have destroyed nearly 200 drones," Sobyanin said, adding that a few drones succeeded in reaching the refinery.
Ukrainian President Volodyr Zelenskyy described the operation as a "fully justified" response to intensive Russian bombing of Ukrainian cities and urged Russia to pursue diplomatic steps to end the war.
"It is time the war ended and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy," Zelenskyy wrote.
In retaliation, Russia's Defense Ministry announced precision strikes on Ukrainian defense and energy sites. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov indicated that Russia expects a forthcoming meeting with U.S. envoys, suggesting it could help reset stalled negotiations.
"We are expecting the return of White House envoys to Moscow soon," Ushakov said.
The incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure aimed at weakening the Kremlin's war financing and bringing the conflict's impact to Russian territory.
