In a significant escalation, Ukraine has carried out what Russian officials describe as one of the largest drone attacks on their territory since the conflict began. According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, 1,478 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over a 24-hour period, marking the highest number recorded in a single day, although these figures are not independently confirmed. The assault resulted in at least six fatalities and sparked a large fire at a distribution warehouse near Moscow. Specifically, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 600 drones targeted the Moscow region, with 201 destroyed, and one person was killed in the area.
The drone attacks have notably impacted a Wildberries distribution center near Podolsk, approximately 25 miles south of Moscow’s city center. The warehouse, occupying an area of around 250,000 square meters, suffered severe damage and was rendered inoperative, as reported by Ukraine’s military. Ukrainian officials have pointed out that several facilities linked to Wildberries are strategically targeted due to their alleged use in military logistics. This development underscores Ukraine’s expanding capabilities in long-range strikes while Russia continues to employ drones and missiles to attack Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Russian strikes have also taken a toll on Ukraine. At least seven individuals were killed, including in the regions of Kryvyi Rih and Sumy. Additionally, a missile strike on Kyiv resulted in six injuries and fires, including one at a significant book market where several businesses reportedly lost their entire inventory. In a related incident, a Spanish fighter jet, part of a NATO patrol, shot down a suspected Russian drone that had entered Romanian airspace, according to NATO officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of persistently targeting civilian infrastructure, stating that over the previous week, Moscow launched more than 1,550 attack drones, around 1,560 guided bombs, and 62 missiles against Ukraine. The rising use of long-range weaponry by both sides heightens the risk of casualties and destruction far from the immediate front lines, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict.