Moscow hit by largest Ukrainian attack since start of Russia’s full-scale war

Moscow was subjected to the largest Ukrainian attack since the beginning of full-scale war; Nearly 200 drones are hitting targets around the Russian capital, sending thick columns of smoke into the sky.

According to local governor Andrei Vorobyov, 17 people were injured in the Moscow region.

The Russian defense ministry stated that approximately 1,000 unmanned aerial vehicles and four Ukrainian cruise missiles were seized and destroyed within 24 hours across the country. An oil depot was hit in the southern Rostov region, killing one person.

Volodymyr Zelensky said Kiev was once again hitting the Moscow region with “long-range sanctions”; this is a phrase used to cover up Ukraine’s long-range attacks against Russia.

“It is now time to end this war and Russia needs to take the necessary steps in diplomacy,” he added.

He said the massive drone strike was in response to a Russian attack on Kiev last week that set fire to a major religious landmark.

“We do not want this war and never have,” Zelensky said. “But if Ukraine burns, your Moscow burns too.”

The fires broke out as the Kapotnya refinery southeast of Moscow was hit for the third time in a month and the second this week, painting the sky black with smoke. In many videos, it is seen that the cover of a large oil storage tank was blown tens of meters into the air due to the explosion.

A nearby shopping mall was also reported to have burned down after drone debris fell on the building and several residential blocks were evacuated.

Four of Moscow’s airports were temporarily closed and more than 500 flights were canceled or delayed.

Although local authorities across Russia have banned the publication of footage of the aftermath of drone strikes, dozens of videos have appeared on social media showing drones flying through the sky in broad daylight and explosions in industrial zones on the outskirts of Moscow.

Four and a half years since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the front-line war of attrition in Ukraine continues away from the eyes of many ordinary Russians.

Kiev is located in Russia, as well as Moscow and St. Their long-range strikes against targets across St. Petersburg are indicative of Zelensky’s aim to “bring the war home to the Russians.”

As Kiev improves its long-range capabilities, drone attacks on Moscow, which is about 500 km (310 miles) from the Ukrainian border, have become more frequent. Ukraine’s first successful drone strikes reached the Russian capital in spring 2023; but these attacks were sporadic and rarely involved more than a handful of drones.

Since then, extensive air defense systems have been installed around Moscow, but the number of drones Ukraine has used in its attacks has also increased, and some have penetrated these defences.

Meanwhile, Kiev said Russia launched more than 200 unmanned aerial vehicles and several ballistic missiles into Ukraine overnight.

Vladimir Putin, who is hosting Southeast Asian leaders for a summit in the central city of Kazan, did not comment on the large-scale attack on the Russian capital.

Writing about X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said: “One of the most popular questions asked by Muscovites this morning is ‘What’s going on?'”

“I can answer. Your country has started a war of aggression against ours. It has been killing our people for years,” Sybiha wrote.

“Now that you know what’s going on, ask Putin when he plans to end this.”