A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack overnight killed at least four people in Russia, authorities said on Sunday, in one of the most extensive aerial assaults since the conflict began in 2022.
According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, air defence systems intercepted 556 Ukrainian drones overnight, with an additional 30 drones shot down after dawn across multiple regions.
The interceptions reportedly took place across 14 Russian regions, as well as the annexed Crimea and areas around the Black and Azov seas.
Russian officials said the barrage caused casualties and damage to infrastructure, particularly in the Moscow region.
Governor Andrey Vorobyov said a woman was killed after a drone struck a private residence, while two men also died in separate incidents linked to the attacks.
Four other people were reportedly injured.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 80 drones were intercepted around the capital overnight, with 12 people sustaining injuries.
He added that some drones struck near an oil and gas refinery, injuring construction workers and damaging three residential buildings, though refinery operations were not disrupted.
In Russia’s Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border, authorities said another man was killed after a drone attack targeted a lorry in the Shebekino district.
Reacting to the strikes, Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as justified retaliation for continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s long-range operations were intended to pressure Russia to end the war.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry also claimed responsibility for attacks on strategic infrastructure, including the Moscow Oil Refinery, the Solnechnogorsk oil depot, and microelectronics facilities.
The ministry described the strikes as part of efforts to weaken Russia’s war capabilities by targeting energy and industrial infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 279 Russian drones out of 287 launched by Moscow overnight.
The renewed exchange of attacks comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Peace negotiations have remained largely frozen as both sides continue to exchange accusations and intensify long-range strikes.
The conflict, which escalated following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has continued to trigger heavy casualties and widespread destruction on both sides.
