Ukraine has launched a significant drone offensive against Russia, marking one of the most extensive such operations since the conflict began, according to Russian officials. The assault reportedly resulted in the death of at least six people and ignited a substantial fire at a distribution warehouse near Moscow. Russia’s Defence Ministry reported intercepting 1,478 Ukrainian drones in a 24-hour period, claiming this to be the highest number recorded in a single day, though these figures await independent verification.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that around 600 drones targeted the Moscow region, with a reported 201 being destroyed. Tragically, one person lost their life in the area. A significant blaze erupted at a Wildberries distribution center near Podolsk, some 25 miles south of central Moscow. Covering approximately 250,000 square meters, the facility suffered severe damage and was rendered inoperative, as noted by Ukraine’s military. Ukrainian authorities have increasingly deployed long-range drones to strike Russian military and economic targets, including several Wildberries facilities, which they allege are used for military logistics purposes.
This incident underscores Ukraine’s growing capability to execute long-range strikes, while Russia continues its reliance on drones and missiles to attack Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. In Ukraine, Russian strikes led to the deaths of at least seven individuals, with casualties reported in Kryvyi Rih and the Sumy region. A missile strike on Kyiv resulted in injuries to six people and sparked fires, notably at a prominent book market where several businesses reportedly lost their entire inventory.
In a related development, NATO officials reported that a Spanish fighter jet, part of a NATO patrol, shot down a suspected Russian drone after it breached Romanian airspace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of persistently targeting civilian infrastructure, claiming that Moscow had launched over 1,550 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided bombs, and 62 missiles against Ukraine over the past week. The intensification of hostilities comes as both nations expand their use of long-range weaponry, heightening the risks of casualties and destruction far removed from the front lines.