Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack Disrupts Russian Air Travel, Targets Moscow and St.Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG & MOSCOW – A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack targeted multiple regions of Russia overnight, disrupting air travel and raising security concerns in the capital, Moscow, and St.Petersburg. The attacks prompted the temporary closure of Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg and led to the interception of at least nine drones near Moscow,according to officials.
This wave of attacks represents an escalation in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to strike targets within Russia,impacting civilian infrastructure and demonstrating a growing capacity to reach deeper into Russian territory. The disruptions to air travel and reported explosions near populated areas highlight the increasing vulnerability of Russian cities and the challenges faced by air defenses. Nearly 50 flights were interrupted or canceled due to the closure of Pulkovo Airport.
moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that emergency teams were dispatched to locations where drone debris fell, but provided no details on specific locations or potential damage. Residents in the moscow region settlements of Mozhask and Dadovsk reported hearing explosions.
Further west, the Smolensk region also came under attack, with Governor Vasily Anokhin stating that air defense systems were engaged against unmanned aerial vehicles. Residents reported explosions in Smolensk city, with eyewitness accounts suggesting a nearby Lukoil facility was targeted.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated a total of 221 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight. The breakdown included 85 drones over the Bryansk region, 42 over the Smolensk region, 28 over the Leningrad region, 18 over the Kaluga region, 14 over the Novgorod region, nine over the Moscow region, seven over the Tver region, and one each over the Pskov, tula, and Kursk regions.