In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russian authorities have reported a series of drone strikes carried out by Ukraine that killed one person, injured several others and set residential buildings on fire. These attacks took place in several regions of Russia, including Moscow, and disrupted normal life, affected flights and forced people to evacuate.
Multiple drone strikes across Russia
According to Russian authorities, their air defense managed to shoot down 144 Ukrainian drones overnight. However, despite these efforts, some drones successfully hit their targets, causing widespread damage and fear among residents. Moscow regional governor Andrei Vorobyov confirmed that a 46-year-old woman lost her life in one of the drone strikes in Ramenskoye, a town in the Moscow region. In addition, three other people were injured, and 43 residents were forced to evacuate their homes to temporary shelters.
The drone strikes set several apartments in two high-rise buildings in Ramenskoye on fire. Local emergency services responded quickly, but by the time they arrived, the damage was extensive. Governor Vorobyov described the incident as a “deliberate attack on civilians”, highlighting the increased threat posed by these drone strikes.
Airports closed in Moscow
The impact of the attacks was not limited to the affected buildings. State media reported that four major Moscow airports were temporarily closed due to the drone strikes. More than 30 domestic and international flights were suspended or delayed, causing panic and frustration among passengers. The Russian aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, later announced on its Telegram channel that three airports—Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Vnukovo—had resumed operations after ensuring it was safe to do so.
The fourth airport, Sheremetyevo, remained closed for a longer period of time, reflecting the heightened alert and potential threats in the airspace around Moscow. This disruption of air travel to Moscow is the most significant since the conflict began, affecting thousands of passengers.
Ukraine’s response and the ongoing drone war
So far, Ukrainian authorities have not commented on these latest drone attacks on Russian soil. However, the Ukrainian military has regularly carried out drone attacks on Russian targets as part of its strategy in the ongoing conflict. These attacks often target military installations, supply depots, and other strategic sites, but can sometimes hit civilian areas as well.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that its air defense forces successfully intercepted 38 of the 46 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia that same night. The drones targeted several Ukrainian cities and regions, including Kyiv, Odessa, Kherson, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Poltava. The Ukrainian military also mentioned that Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and a Kh-31 air-to-surface missile during these attacks, further escalating the ongoing conflict.
Rising tensions and recent gains in eastern Ukraine
As these drone attacks continue, Moscow has claimed significant gains in the eastern part of Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that its forces had captured at least three villages, including Memrik, Novohrodivka, and Krasnohorivka. These villages are strategically important, located close to the major city of Pokrovsk, and their capture is seen as a tactical advantage for Russian forces in the region.
The Russian military has described these captures as “liberations,” while Ukrainian forces have not yet confirmed or commented on these developments. However, sources within Ukraine have indicated that Ukrainian forces may be retreating from some areas, including Novohrodivka. This withdrawal may signal a strategic repositioning by Ukrainian forces in response to changing dynamics on the ground.
Civilian impact and humanitarian concerns
The ongoing drone war has brought significant hardship to civilians on both sides of the conflict. In Ramenskoye, the death of a civilian woman and the injury of others has sparked outrage and fear among the local population. With residential buildings set on fire and people displaced from their homes, the human cost of these attacks is becoming increasingly evident.
Humanitarian agencies and international organisations have expressed deep concern at the escalating violence and its impact on civilians. The indiscriminate nature of drone strikes, which often fail to distinguish between military and civilian targets, poses serious risks to the lives and safety of ordinary people caught in the crossfire.
The broader picture: Russia’s recent attacks on Ukrainian cities
In recent weeks, Russia has escalated its missile and drone attacks on various Ukrainian cities. Deadly attacks have been reported in Lviv, Poltava and Kharkiv, causing significant destruction and loss of life.