MOSCOW: Ukraine launched a large-scale overnight drone assault targeting the Moscow region on Tuesday, with Russian officials claiming that more than 400 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were directed towards the capital ahead of a crucial NATO summit in Ankara, where the war is expected to dominate discussions.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drones approached the region between Monday evening and 6:00 a.m. local time.
According to him, Russian air defence systems intercepted the majority of the aircraft before they reached the capital, while 36 drones were destroyed on approach to Moscow.
The attack marks one of the largest reported drone offensives against the Russian capital in recent months, underscoring Ukraine’s growing reliance on long-range UAVs to strike targets deep inside Russian territory as the conflict enters its fifth year.
Meanwhile, authorities in Russia’s Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, reported fresh missile strikes. Acting Governor Aleksandr Shuvaev said a civilian was killed in the village of Belovskoye during the first of several attacks targeting Belgorod city and nearby areas.
The latest escalation follows a wave of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine on Monday that reportedly claimed the lives of at least 30 people, intensifying pressure on Kyiv ahead of the two-day NATO summit in the Turkish capital.
Responding to the attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Western allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
In a statement, he urged the United States and European partners to emerge from the Ankara summit with concrete decisions that would enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend its skies against continued Russian bombardment.
Long-range aerial attacks have become an increasingly prominent feature of the conflict, with both Russia and Ukraine carrying out regular drone and missile strikes far beyond the front lines.
The latest exchanges highlight the continuing escalation of hostilities as diplomatic and military leaders gather to discuss the future of support for Ukraine.
