Russia shot down 70 Ukrainian drones during the night from Saturday to Sunday and in the morning, half of which were targeting Moscow and its region, said the mayor of the Russian capital, Sergei Sobyanin.
This is one of the most significant drone attacks targeting the Russian capital since the start of the Ukraine offensive in 2022.
The attack disrupted the operation of two airports
The attack also comes at a time when Russia welcomes heads of diplomacy and high-ranking officials from around fifty African countries to Sochi for a ministerial conference.
The drones mainly targeted the districts of Ramenskoye and Domodedovo, south of Moscow, according to Sergei Sobyanin. The attack disrupted the operation of Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports, located in the affected areas, and flights there were suspended, according to Russian airport authorities.
According to Russian media, the drone attack caused a fire in a village in the Ramenskoye district and several houses there were on fire.
Drones that rarely target the Russian capital
Russia reports shooting down Ukrainian drones over its territory almost daily, but they rarely target the Russian capital.
In May 2023, two aircraft were destroyed near the Kremlin, and in the same year the Moscow City business district was targeted by drone attacks. Ukraine says it is carrying out these strikes, which often target energy sites, in response to Russian bombings on its territory.
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