On Sunday, Ukraine launched its largest drone assault on Moscow to date, with at least 34 drones targeting the Russian capital. This unprecedented attack since the war’s onset in 2022 led to flight diversions from three major Moscow airports—Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky—and resulted in one injury in the Moscow region. Russia’s defense ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted another 36 drones across western Russia within a three-hour span, stating, “An attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using airplane-type drones on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted.”
After a temporary disruption, flights resumed at the affected airports. Moscow, one of Europe’s largest metropolitan hubs with over 21 million residents, saw a significant response to this event. In retaliation, Russia reportedly launched a record 145 drones overnight toward Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces claiming to have intercepted 62. Ukraine also claimed responsibility for striking an arsenal in Russia’s Bryansk region, where 14 drones were reportedly shot down.
Footage shared on Russian Telegram channels, though unverified, showed drones flying across Moscow’s skyline. The prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now nearly two-and-a-half years old, may be nearing what some officials describe as a possible conclusion, especially after Russia’s forces made significant advancements recently and with Donald Trump’s election as the 47th U.S. president. Trump, set to assume office in January, has promised to achieve peace in Ukraine within 24 hours, though he has provided limited details on his approach.
During a call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Trump to congratulate him on his win, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a supporter of Trump and provider of Starlink services crucial to Ukraine’s defense, was also present, according to reports.
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Meanwhile, Moscow has fortified its air defenses with electronic “umbrellas” and multiple defense layers to shield the city and key structures from Ukrainian drone strikes. Both sides have escalated their drone warfare capabilities, turning commercial drones into lethal weapons and expanding production. Russian President Vladimir Putin, condemning Ukrainian attacks on civilian sites like nuclear facilities as “terrorism,” has pledged a firm response. Despite these events, Moscow’s life carried on as usual, with residents walking their dogs and church bells echoing across the city, while Russia’s capital continues to benefit economically from a substantial defense budget since the Cold War.
