Drone Barrage Hits Moscow Again
Russia faces second consecutive day of major drone attacks. Over 100 drones intercepted across multiple regions, including 26 near Moscow.
Russia endured a second consecutive day of intense drone attacks on Thursday, with Moscow and several central regions targeted by what officials described as one of the largest coordinated UAV barrages since the start of the war. The strikes led to widespread disruption, particularly around the capital, where all major airports were forced to suspend operations overnight.
Russian air defense systems intercepted 105 drones across the country, including 42 in Kursk, 14 in Belgorod, and 26 aimed at Moscow since midnight. The Ministry of Defense said no casualties were reported.
Airports Halted, Peace Elusive
Flight operations at Moscow’s four main airports — Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky — were suspended several times during the barrage and resumed only after 6 a.m. local time.
The drone offensive comes amid fragile diplomatic overtures. Ukraine and Russia recently held their first direct talks since 2022, and U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with President Vladimir Putin. However, the renewed drone escalation casts doubt over the prospects for de-escalation.
Strategic Targets and Economic Disruption
Among the confirmed strikes, one drone hit the Bolkhov Semiconductor Device Plant in the Oryol region, a facility known for producing components for tanks, howitzers, and missiles. Meanwhile, in the Tula and Lipetsk regions, residents reported loud explosions and flashes in the sky throughout the night as air defenses scrambled to intercept incoming drones.
The unprecedented daytime continuation of the attacks marks a tactical shift. “The shift underscores Ukraine’s growing ability to exert pressure on Russia’s air defense systems, potentially inflicting greater economic disruption,” Bloomberg noted.
Wider Drone Warfare
Attacks were also reported in Kaluga, Smolensk, Ryazan, and Tula, regions critical to Russia’s military logistics. The Defense Ministry said defensive operations were engaged across these areas, responding to multiple waves of drones throughout the night.
In Ukraine, Kyiv declared an air raid alert as Russian drones approached the capital early Thursday, highlighting the ongoing tit-for-tat nature of drone warfare between the two nations.