Ukraine has launched one of its most significant drone attacks on Russia since the onset of the full-scale invasion, targeting various regions including areas near Moscow. According to Russian authorities, the overnight assault resulted in the death of a 46-year-old woman and injuries to three others when a drone struck an apartment complex in the town of Ramenskoye, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Moscow.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its air defense systems intercepted 144 drones across the country, with 20 of those downed in the Moscow region. Governor Andrei Vorobyov confirmed the fatality and noted that the attack marked the first reported death from a drone strike near the Russian capital since the war began.
In Ramenskoye, extensive damage was observed on the 10th, 11th, and 12th floors of a 17-story residential building, where the woman was killed. Emergency responders were seen evacuating residents and extinguishing a fire that resulted from the drone strike.
The drone attacks caused significant disruptions to air traffic in Moscow, with major airports including Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo canceling or delaying flights. The airport in Kazan, located over 700 kilometers (435 miles) east of Moscow, also temporarily suspended operations due to the attacks.
In the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, Governor Alexander Bogomaz described the incident as a “mass terrorist attack,” although he reported no casualties or damage in that area.
This latest wave of drone strikes comes as Ukraine intensifies its military operations, seeking to expand its reach into Russian territory amidst ongoing claims of incremental gains by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. The increased range of Ukraine’s drone capabilities has raised tensions and highlighted the evolving nature of the conflict.
