MOSCOW: Russian authorities said on Tuesday that air defence systems intercepted most of the 340 Ukrainian drones launched towards the Moscow region over the past 24 hours, as aerial attacks between Russia and Ukraine continued to intensify.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the majority of the drones were destroyed before reaching the capital, with more than 50 intercepted on their approach to the city.
What Did Russia Say About the Drone Attack on Moscow?
In a statement on Telegram, Mayor Sobyanin said Russian air defence units successfully neutralised most of the incoming drones on the outer approaches to Moscow.
“Most of them were neutralised by air defence forces on the outer approaches. More than 50 enemy drones were destroyed on their way to Moscow,” he said.
Ukraine has regularly launched long-range drone attacks targeting Russian territory, while Moscow authorities have frequently reported interceptions around the capital.
How Are Russia and Ukraine Escalating Cross-Border Attacks?
The latest incident comes as Ukraine has intensified drone strikes against Russian infrastructure, particularly facilities linked to the country’s oil industry.
Ukraine’s military said it had carried out drone attacks on the Salavat petrochemical complex in the Ural region and the Afipsky oil refinery in southern Russia. The repeated attacks on energy infrastructure have contributed to fuel shortages in parts of Russia.
Meanwhile, Russia has also stepped up its aerial campaign against Ukraine.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian forces launched another large-scale drone and ballistic missile attack on Kyiv, marking the fifth assault on the Ukrainian capital this month.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes damaged 16 sites, including a school and a commercial facility, while local authorities reported multiple fires across the city.
The exchange of long-range drone and missile attacks underscores the continuing escalation of the conflict, with both sides increasingly targeting strategic infrastructure far beyond the front lines.