Massive drone barrage hits Russia—Moscow scrambles to defend capital

Russia has accused Ukraine of launching its most extensive drone assault to date, with Moscow’s Defense Ministry claiming to have intercepted 343 Ukrainian drones overnight. The large-scale air assault reportedly targeted multiple Russian regions, including Moscow, marking a significant escalation in cross-border attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its air defense systems shot down 91 drones over Moscow, while the rest were intercepted across 10 regions, including areas near the Kursk nuclear power plant, a region already experiencing heavy fighting. Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that air defenses were engaged throughout the night, countering repeated waves of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

At least two people were killed and 20 others injured, including three children, according to Russian officials. Several residential buildings and businesses sustained damage from falling debris, said Governor Andrei Vorobyov.

Air Travel Disruptions and Russian Government Response

In response to the aerial assault, Russia’s federal air agency suspended flights at all four of Moscow’s major airports, with additional flight disruptions reported in the Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod regions.

The Kremlin was quick to denounce the attack, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova labeling the assault “a terrorist act.” Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Vladimir Putin was briefed on the strikes, attributing them to Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt diplomatic initiatives.

Peskov dismissed suggestions that the attack was aimed at sabotaging ceasefire discussions, noting that negotiations had yet to officially begin. However, he acknowledged that such military actions could complicate diplomatic efforts.

Ukraine Silent as Ceasefire Talks With U.S. Approach

The Ukrainian military has not publicly commented on the reported drone strikes. The escalation comes at a critical juncture, with Kyiv and Washington set to meet for ceasefire discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The talks, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aim to assess Ukraine’s willingness to make concessions in exchange for a potential peace agreement. The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has been pressuring Ukraine to negotiate, including the controversial demand that Kyiv agree to a minerals-sharing deal to compensate for the billions of dollars in U.S. aid provided since 2022.

Despite U.S. insistence on peace talks, Kyiv has repeatedly rejected any settlement that does not include concrete security guarantees, fearing that an insufficient deal could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian aggression.

Trump’s Stance and Kyiv’s Position on Peace Negotiations

President Donald Trump has framed Ukraine as the primary obstacle to peace, frequently criticizing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and suggesting that Kyiv is unwilling to negotiate. Washington’s pressure campaign has included temporarily freezing military aid and restricting intelligence-sharing, moves seen as an attempt to push Ukraine toward diplomatic concessions.

Zelenskyy, who arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the talks, met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss conditions for a lasting peace. Zelenskyy emphasized the return of Ukrainian prisoners and children as key confidence-building measures in diplomatic negotiations.

Ukraine Proposes Partial Ceasefire Amid Drone War

A Ukrainian source confirmed that Kyiv plans to propose a partial ceasefire during its talks with the U.S. The proposal would focus on halting long-range missile strikes and naval attacks, though the specific timeframe remains unclear.

“We want to propose a partial ceasefire that can be monitored, then evaluate Russia’s response before determining the next steps,” the source said.

Rubio signaled cautious optimism about the Ukrainian proposal, calling it “a step in the right direction” but stressing that more substantial commitments from both sides are necessary to end hostilities.

Escalating Drone Warfare as Diplomacy Falters

While peace talks remain uncertain, drone and missile exchanges between Ukraine and Russia continue unabated. Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting one Iskander ballistic missile and 126 Russian drones overnight. Of these, 79 drones were shot down, while 35 UAVs reportedly failed to reach their targets.

The attacks impacted multiple regions, including Donetsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kyiv, demonstrating the widening scope of drone warfare in the conflict.

As negotiations unfold in Jeddah, the question remains whether diplomatic efforts can de-escalate the ongoing military confrontations, or if Ukraine and Russia will continue their increasingly sophisticated aerial assaults.