Ukrainian Drone Attacks on Moscow Intensify, Russia Deploys Air Defences

Russia’s Defence Ministry stated that the country’s air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 172 Ukrainian drones in an overnight attack targeting various Russian regions, including areas around the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. The attack also included a wave of unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the Moscow region. According to local authorities, this was one of the largest attacks the Russian capital has faced throughout 2026. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Russian air defence forces shot down dozens of drones flying towards the capital since the morning. Based on official data provided by Sobyanin, 60 Ukrainian drones were intercepted before reaching the Moscow region. This number places the latest attack as one of the largest drone operations directed at the Russian capital in recent months. Previously, the largest attack occurred on 17 May, when Russian authorities claimed to have destroyed 81 drones heading for Moscow. Russian air defences were also reported to have shot down 38 drones on 16 May and 61 drones on 7 May. Sobyanin revealed that one facility at the Moscow Oil Refinery sustained damage from the ongoing attack. However, no official details have been released regarding the extent of the damage or its impact on the refinery’s operational activities. In the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, local authorities reported a fire at an oil storage facility in the village of Poltavskaya. The fire was said to have occurred after debris from a downed drone fell into the facility area. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that a residential building in the city of Elektrostal, located east of Moscow, also suffered damage from the drone attack. There have been no reports of fatalities or injuries in the series of attacks across several Russian regions. On the other side, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the attack on Russian oil refinery facilities. In a post on Telegram, Zelensky described the operation as part of a pressure strategy against Russia. He said the attack on the oil refinery was part of the long-range sanctions Ukraine is implementing amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries. The latest attack again demonstrates the increasing use of long-range drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with energy infrastructure and strategic facilities becoming primary targets for both sides in recent months.