Ukraine launched a large-scale attack on Moscow and other parts of Russia using hundreds of drones and, for the first time in the war, ballistic missiles that Kyiv has acknowledged using. The attack killed at least two people and damaged what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as one of Russia’s “key oil industry facilities,” authorities said on Sunday, the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections.
Zelenskyy said the weapons used included the Pelican, a short-range ballistic missile with an estimated range of about 350km (220 miles)—not enough to reach Moscow directly.
Fires broke out at a Moscow oil refinery after the drone attack. Though the president gave no further details, the missile was likely part of a broader complex of attacks; he listed 10 different weapons types, all largely developed in Ukraine.
Ballistic missiles fly at several times the speed of sound in their terminal phase, making them very difficult to intercept, unlike slower cruise missiles and drones. Until recently, Ukraine had lacked its own missile technology.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine used its domestically produced Flamingo cruise missiles to strike Moscow. The long-range weapon has been used before against targets deep inside Russia and has the range to reach the capital.
Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels posted images of what they said was debris from a Flamingo missile found in the Moscow region, though the claims could not be independently verified. Ruslan Leviev, head of the open-source investigation group Conflict Intelligence Team, said the debris probably came from a Flamingo missile.
Workers at Fire Point’s secret factory in Ukraine inspect one of their FP-5 Flamingo missiles last year. Photograph: Efrem Lukatsky/AP
Moscow’s mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, said more than 1,600 drones had been intercepted and shot down, 450 of them aimed at Moscow. These figures are often exaggerated, and Ukraine’s daily drone fire rate is estimated in the low hundreds.
Sobyanin accused Ukraine of trying to interfere with Russia’s tightly controlled three-day election, which is expected to tighten Vladimir Putin’s 26-year grip on power.
“The unprecedented attack was clearly planned with the aim of disrupting the elections. The enemy did not succeed,” he said on Telegram.
Moscow’s regional governor said at least two people were killed—a 44-year-old woman and an elderly man—in two separate locations.
A fire caused by a drone crashing into a 21-storey building also led to 400 people being evacuated, said Moscow’s regional governor, Andrey Vorobyov, without specifying where the drone came from.
Kyiv has stepped up its campaign of long-range drone strikes against Russia in recent months, particularly against energy infrastructure, a vital source of Kremlin revenue to fund its war effort.
Ukrainian strikes have knocked out a significant part of Russia’s oil-refining capacity, triggering oil product shortages, fuel price increases and long queues at filling stations in many regions across the country’s 11 time zones.
A facility on the territory of the Moscow oil refinery had been damaged, Sobyanin said. No casualties were reported and emergency services were on the scene. The refinery has already been hit by Ukrainian strikes in recent months.
Russians go to polls against backdrop of Ukraine war and Putin’s tightening grip
The Pelican missile is understood to be the FP-7 made by Fire Point, Ukraine’s most successful long-range drone and missile maker. The company is also developing the longer-range FP-9, which has a range of more than 500 miles, meaning it could be used to target Moscow in the future. A test flight is expected later this autumn.The latest strike came after US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to attack each other’s energy facilities. It also followed the start of voting in Russia on Friday for the country’s first parliamentary elections since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Only parties that support Putin and the Kremlin’s military campaign have been allowed to run. Moscow has also organized voting in occupied parts of Ukraine. Few Russians doubt that Putin’s United Russia party will win easily again, but the vote gives a sense of public support for the war. With Agence France-Presse and Reuters
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the reported events
Beginner Questions
What happened in Moscow
Russia says Ukraine launched a large drone attack on Moscow It was one of the biggest attacks on the city since the war began
How many drones were used
Russia claims it destroyed hundreds of drones Ukraine has not confirmed the exact number
What is a drone
A drone is a small unmanned aircraft that can be flown remotely or programmed to fly on its own They are often used for surveillance or to drop explosives
What is a ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a powerful weapon that flies high into the atmosphere and then falls very fast toward its target It is much harder to shoot down than a regular missile or drone
Did Ukraine really use a ballistic missile
Reports say Ukraine used a ballistic missile for the first time in this war If true it marks a major change in the types of weapons being used
Why is this important
It shows the war is escalating Ukraine is using new and more powerful weapons and Russia is facing attacks deep inside its own territory
Advanced Questions
What kind of ballistic missile did Ukraine use
Reports suggest it may have been a shortrange ballistic missile possibly supplied by a Western country The exact model has not been officially confirmed
Why are ballistic missiles harder to intercept
They travel at very high speeds and follow a steep arcing path This gives air defenses very little time to detect track and shoot them down
What are the benefits of using drones in war
Drones are cheap hard to detect and can be sent in large numbers They can overwhelm air defenses and cause damage even if many are shot down
What are the common problems with drone attacks
Drones can be jammed or shot down They often carry small payloads so they cause limited damage unless they hit a key target Russia claims it intercepted most of the drones
What does this mean for the future of the war
It suggests both sides are willing to use more advanced and longrange weapons This could lead to more attacks on cities and critical infrastructure far from the front lines
Practical Tips
How can civilians stay safe during drone or missile attacks
Follow official alerts go to shelters or safe rooms and stay away from windows Keep an emergency kit with water food and medication
