(MOSCOW) – Moscow came under a large scale drone attack overnight, forcing the closure of Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports and prompting renewed air raid warnings across the Russian capital. The city’s mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, confirmed that airspace restrictions were temporarily imposed as air defence units attempted to intercept incoming unmanned aircraft.
The attack was the latest in a series of long range operations carried out by Ukraine, which has increasingly targeted military and industrial sites deep inside Russian territory. Residents in several Moscow districts reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke in the early hours, while numerous commercial flights were diverted or cancelled.
The strikes occurred alongside what Ukrainian sources described as the first use of United States supplied ATACMS missiles against targets within Russia since the beginning of the current White House administration. The missiles were used to hit military arsenals and training grounds in the Voronezh region, an area close to the front lines and home to several Russian logistics hubs.
Local reports suggested that ammunition depots and other military storage facilities were damaged. Satellite imagery is expected to provide further confirmation in the coming days.
Reported Facilities Targeted
| Location | Type of Facility | Reported Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow region | Airspace and airport infrastructure | Airspace closure, flight cancellations |
| Voronezh region | Military training grounds and arsenals | Explosions, confirmed damage |
| Tatarstan (earlier strikes) | Drone production sites | Previous confirmed disruption |
The latest incidents highlight the increasing frequency of air alerts in Moscow, a development that would have been considered unthinkable earlier in the conflict. Air defence sirens, cancelled flights and recurrent civilian disruptions are now a regular part of life in Russia’s most important political and economic centres.
Authorities in multiple regions also temporarily restricted mobile internet during the attacks. Analysts suggest the measure is aimed at controlling information flows and limiting the spread of real time footage from strike locations. In addition, electronic warfare activity caused widespread disruption to GPS signals, affecting navigation systems and transport in several urban areas.
Russian social media channels carried numerous messages from residents who said they were unable to navigate the city because digital mapping services were not functioning. Public services including banks, schools and healthcare facilities also faced temporary interruptions during the air alerts.
Ukraine has maintained that it targets only military or military linked sites, emphasising that the purpose of these strikes is to reduce Russia’s ability to launch further attacks. Kyiv argues that operations against air defence systems, missile storage facilities and supply depots have saved civilian lives by reducing the number of weapons available for use against Ukraine.
The renewed use of ATACMS has drawn attention internationally. Ukrainian officials say the missiles are being employed strictly against legitimate military targets inside Russia and are part of a defensive effort to prevent further assaults on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, diplomatic activity continues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to Turkey for discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ukrainian officials stressed that these meetings are not negotiations with Russia but part of ongoing diplomatic engagement with international partners. Kyiv insists that any meaningful talks on ending the war require Russia to cease hostilities and withdraw from Ukrainian territory.
The latest strikes come as power outages continue in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities following repeated Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Residents are adjusting to scheduled blackouts aimed at stabilising the national grid.
Support for Ukraine remains strong among its international partners, and the country continues to appeal for additional air defence systems, long range weapons and economic assistance to strengthen its position on the battlefield and in international negotiations.