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Ukrainian drone attacks continue across multiple Russian regions, officials report

Renewed strikes follow 'unprecedented' weekend attack on Moscow that killed two

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources7 outlets
Multiple regions in Russia have come under fresh Ukrainian drone attacks, according to reports on Thursday, as the aerial campaign that saw an unprecedented wave of more than 1,000 drones target Moscow over the weekend shows no signs of abating.

Local officials said on Thursday that several Russian regions were being targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes, though details of casualties or damage were not immediately available. The reports come five days after what Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described as an “unprecedented attack” on the capital.

In the early hours of Sunday, September 20, Russia said it shot down 1,600 drones heading for Moscow. Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev reported 249 drones downed and said two people were killed — a 44-year-old woman in Sofyino and an elderly man in the Orekhovo-Zuevo district — while six others, including two children, were injured. Fires broke out in several residential buildings and a warehouse, and a Moscow oil refinery was damaged, forcing flight restrictions at Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports.

In Ukraine, eight people were killed in Russian attacks on the Kyiv and Sumy regions on Saturday, according to Ukrainian officials. A mother and her two young children died in Fastiv, while four people were killed in Sumy when a drone struck their car.

Both sides have continued to hit energy infrastructure in recent weeks, despite US President Donald Trump claiming on social media that the two sides had agreed not to.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The sustained drone campaign brings the war directly to Russian population centres and critical infrastructure, escalating psychological and economic pressure.
  • Continued strikes on energy facilities risk disrupting fuel supplies and aviation in and around Moscow, affecting civilians.
  • Both sides appear unwilling to observe any informal moratorium on energy infrastructure attacks, undermining diplomatic efforts.

Background

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, both sides have increasingly used long-range drones to strike military and energy targets deep behind enemy lines. Ukraine has developed a domestic drone industry capable of reaching Moscow, while Russia has systematically attacked Ukrainian power grids.

Key Perspectives

Ukrainian leadership: Has framed strikes on Russian soil as legitimate retaliation and a necessary means to disrupt Russia's war machine and logistics. Russian officials: Brand the attacks as terrorism and, in this case, accused Ukraine of election interference. Governor Vorobyev and Mayor Sobyanin have emphasised civilian casualties and damage to residential areas. International observers: Note that no formal ceasefire on energy infrastructure has been verified, and the strikes risk further entrenching the conflict ahead of any potential negotiations.

What to Watch

  • Whether the drone campaign expands to more Russian regions or targets oil export facilities.
  • The effect on flight operations at Moscow airports and any prolonged disruptions.
  • Official casualty figures from both sides in the coming days.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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