Russia Says It Downed 172 Ukrainian Drones in Overnight Attack, Moscow Region Targeted

MOSCOW: Russia’s defence ministry said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 172 Ukrainian drones overnight in multiple regions, including areas near Moscow and over the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

The reported attack included a major drone operation targeting the Moscow region, with Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin saying air defence forces had destroyed 60 drones approaching the capital.

Sobyanin described the incident as one of the largest drone attacks on Moscow this year. Previous major attacks reported by Russian authorities included 81 drones intercepted on May 17, 38 on May 16, and 61 on May 7.

The Moscow mayor said a facility at the Moscow Oil Refinery was damaged during the attack. He did not immediately provide further details on the extent of the damage or whether refinery operations had been disrupted.

In the southern Krasnodar region, local authorities reported a fire at an oil storage facility in the village of Poltavskaya after debris from a destroyed drone fell on the site.

Russia’s Emergency Situations The ministry also reported damage to a residential building in the city of Elektrostal, located east of Moscow.

No immediate reports of deaths were issued by Russian officials following the overnight strikes.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the attack on the Moscow oil facility, describing such long-range strikes as part of Ukraine’s efforts against Russia’s war capabilities.

The latest drone exchange highlights the continued escalation of long-range attacks between Russia and Ukraine as the conflict enters another phase.