Moscow faced a significant aerial assault early Tuesday morning as Russian air defenses shot down at least 60 Ukrainian drones targeting the capital, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
The attack, described as the largest on Moscow in months, disrupted air traffic and heightened tensions on the same day U.S. and Ukrainian officials were set to meet for negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
Sobyanin reported that the drones were intercepted over various parts of the Moscow region, with no casualties recorded. However, debris from the downed drones caused minor damage, including to the roof of a building in the city.
READ: State Department Signals Openness To Ukraine Talks After Zelenskyy’s Letter To Trump
“At the moment, the roof of a building in Moscow has been slightly damaged by falling debris from a downed UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle],” Sobyanin said in an online statement, adding that preliminary reports indicated no injuries.
The barrage prompted the temporary closure of two of Moscow’s key airports, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky, with flight restrictions implemented to ensure safety amid the ongoing threat. Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, confirmed the measures but had not announced a reopening timeline by Tuesday evening.
READ: Trump Pauses Ukraine Aid After Zelenskyy Clash, Signals Hard Line On Peace Talks
The timing of the attack—coinciding with scheduled U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia—underscored the escalating stakes in the nearly three-year conflict.
While Ukrainian officials have not commented on the operation, Kyiv has increasingly relied on drone strikes deep inside Russian territory to disrupt Moscow’s war efforts, targeting infrastructure like oil refineries and military sites.
Tuesday’s assault marks a bold escalation, bringing the war’s impact closer to the heart of Russia’s capital, which has largely been insulated from direct attacks.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
