Russia vows large-scale retaliatory strikes after massive drone attack on Moscow
Ukraine launched nearly 200 drones at Moscow, prompting Russia to promise extensive group strikes in response, while officials on both sides exchanged statements on the escalating conflict.
Ukraine deployed almost 200 drones against Moscow on Thursday, marking the third consecutive day of aerial attacks and the largest drone barrage since the war began. Russian authorities said they shot down 194 drones over the capital and reported that some struck the Kapotnya oil refinery, which supplies about 40% of the city’s fuel. The attack caused a storage tank to rupture, generating thick black smoke that forced the closure of Moscow’s four airports and led to fuel shortages and rationing at stations.
Sergei Sobyanin, Moscow’s mayor, confirmed the number of drones intercepted, while the Russian defence ministry claimed to have downed close to 1,000 drones nationwide in the same period. In response, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the president had previously ordered “massive group strikes” to be carried out regularly against Ukraine, adding that the armed forces were fulfilling that directive.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Brussels after attending a G7 summit, described the strikes as a “fully justified response” to prior Russian attacks and said Ukraine possessed the capability to force Moscow toward diplomatic negotiations. He also highlighted recent pledges from allies, including Britain’s commitment to supply 150,000 drones and air-defence systems, as part of broader support for Ukraine’s long-range strike capacity.
The escalation follows ongoing Russian bombardments of Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones, and comes amid heightened diplomatic activity, with NATO and U.S. officials discussing defence spending and the potential for renewed sanctions on Russian energy exports.
