Ukraine has carried out one of its biggest drone attacks since the war began, sparking a fire at a warehouse near Moscow and killing at least six people overnight, according to Russian officials.
Russia’s defence ministry said it had shot down 822 drones. The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that 600 drones were aimed at the capital’s region, with 201 of them destroyed.
The mayor told the Tass news agency that this was the largest air raid on the Russian capital in two years. However, Ukraine’s rapid expansion of its drone capabilities in recent times could mean this was the biggest attack wave since the war started in 2022.
Russian drone and missile attacks killed seven people in Ukraine, including two in the central city of Kryvyi Rih. Meanwhile, a Spanish F-18 jet shot down what appeared to be a Russian drone that had crossed into Romanian airspace.
The Spanish fighter was part of a Nato patrol mission and brought down the drone at around 5am after it entered Romanian airspace. “The drone appears to be Russian,” a Nato military spokesperson said.
A warehouse belonging to the Russian distribution company Wildberries caught fire in Podolsk, south of Moscow. Photos showed flames engulfing the 200,000 square metre facility, with thick black smoke rising into the sky.
Andrey Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, described the assault as “one of the most massive drone attacks in recent memory.” The Russian defence ministry later said it had shot down nine Ukrainian cruise missiles and 1,478 drones in the previous 24 hours, though this figure could not be independently confirmed.
Ukraine has greatly expanded its long-range, deep-strike missile and drone capabilities in 2026, allowing it to hit warehouses, oil refineries, ports, and military sites up to 1,500 miles (2,400km) from its border.
This has enabled Ukraine to nearly match the long-range strike power that Russia has had since the start of the war, at a time when both sides’ air defences are stretched almost to breaking point.
Over the past month, Kyiv has focused on attacking facilities linked to Wildberries, a company widely used by businesses for online retail. Ukrainian strikes have hit around 20 warehouses and buildings, aiming to damage the Russian economy and put financial pressure on ordinary citizens.
Five people were reported killed in Russia’s southern Rostov region, which borders Ukraine. Its governor said another 150 incoming drones had been destroyed. One person was reported dead in the attacks on the Moscow area.
Russian attacks on Ukraine also killed two people in the Sumy border region and three others elsewhere in the country. A ballistic missile strike on Kyiv shortly before 3am injured six people and caused several fires in the capital.
A fire caused by the attacks destroyed a large part of the Petrovka book market in Kyiv’s Obolonskyi district overnight, with some booksellers saying they had lost their entire stock in the blaze.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, praised the work of the country’s emergency services and accused the Russians of targeting ordinary people. “Wherever the Russians can reach with their ballistic missiles, they strike civilian infrastructure,” he said in a social media post.
Over the past week, Zelenskyy said Russia had launched more than 1,550 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs, and 62 missiles at Ukrainian cities and communities, most of them various types of ballistic missiles.
While Ukraine is effective at stopping slower-moving drones, it has little to no defence against high-speed ballistic missiles. Its supply of US-made Patriot interceptor missiles – the only weapons capable of shooting them down – hasHaving been run down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the news headline written in a natural tone with clear and concise answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q What exactly happened in this drone attack
A Ukraine launched a large number of drones against targets inside Russia According to Russian officials the attack killed at least six people and caused damage in several regions
Q Why is Ukraine attacking Russia with drones
A Ukraine says these strikes are a response to Russias ongoing missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure They are also aimed at disrupting Russian military supply lines and logistics
Q Where in Russia did the attack take place
A The attacks were reported in multiple regions primarily in southern and western Russia including areas near the border with Ukraine
Q Is this a new type of weapon
A No both countries have been using longrange drones for a while However this attack is notable for its massive scale meaning Ukraine launched a very high number of drones at once
Q Does this mean the war is escalating
A It shows that the war is continuing at a high intensity Ukraine is trying to take the fight deeper into Russian territory which is a significant strategic shift from earlier in the conflict
IntermediateLevel Questions
Q What kind of drones does Ukraine typically use for these longrange strikes
A Ukraine has developed its own longrange attack drones often referred to as kamikaze drones Models like the Beaver and the Lyuty are frequently used for strikes deep inside Russia
Q What are the main targets of these drone attacks
A The primary targets are usually oil refineries fuel depots military airfields and other infrastructure that supports the Russian military The goal is to reduce Russias ability to fuel its tanks planes and missiles
Q How effective are these drone attacks really
A They are strategically effective even if they dont cause massive physical damage They force Russia to divert airdefense systems away from the front lines to protect cities disrupt the Russian economy by hitting oil exports and create psychological pressure on the Russian population
Q Why cant Russia stop all of these drones
