Moscow comes under massive Ukrainian drone attack since start of Russian war
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
MOSCOW – Moscow has reportedly faced its largest drone assault since the start of the full-scale war, with Russian authorities claiming that around 200 Ukrainian drones were launched toward the capital and surrounding regions, sending smoke plumes into the sky and disrupting civilian life. Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov said that at least 17 people were injured in the wider region during the overnight strikes. Russia’s defence ministry stated that nearly 1,000 drones and four cruise missiles launched by Ukraine were intercepted and destroyed across the country within a 24-hour period. Despite these claims, officials also confirmed that some targets were hit, including an oil depot in the Rostov region, where one person was killed. In the Moscow area, fires broke out after a refinery in Kapotnya was struck for the third time in a month. The blaze produced thick black smoke, and reports indicated that an oil storage tank was severely damaged, with its top reportedly blown into the air due to an explosion. A nearby shopping centre also caught fire after debris from intercepted drones allegedly fell on it, prompting evacuations from several residential buildings in the vicinity. The local authorities temporarily shut down all four major Moscow airports, leading to the cancellation or delay of more than 500 flights. Although restrictions are in place on publishing images of attack sites inside Russia, multiple videos circulated on social media showing drones flying over urban and industrial zones, along with explosions in areas around the capital. Moscow, located roughly 500 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, has increasingly come under long-range drone pressure as Ukraine expands its strike capabilities. Ukrainian drones first reached the Russian capital in 2023, but attacks have grown in scale and frequency since then, despite strengthened air defence systems around the city. On the Ukrainian side, officials reported that Russia launched more than 200