A large-scale drone attack by Ukraine on Moscow and its surrounding areas has resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage, disrupting life in the Russian capital. The assault, which coincided with the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections, left at least three individuals dead and prompted the evacuation of around 400 people from a damaged high-rise apartment building, according to Russian authorities.
Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that over 1,600 drones have been intercepted since the onset of the attack, with approximately 450 targeting the capital itself. Notably, several drones managed to reach and damage the Moscow Oil Refinery, underscoring the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure. Emergency services were swiftly deployed to provide aid and manage the aftermath in the affected areas.
The strikes reflect Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian energy and logistics facilities, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This approach has seen Ukraine increasingly utilizing long-range drones and domestically produced weaponry to reach deep into Russian territory, aiming at undermining key sectors amid the ongoing conflict.
This escalation occurred against the backdrop of Russia’s first parliamentary elections since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian officials have accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the electoral process through these military actions. Meanwhile, Kyiv continues its campaign focused on debilitating Russian military and energy capabilities, further intensifying the tensions between the two nations.