Ukrainian forces launched a series of drone strikes early Sunday morning, targeting Moscow and several regions in western Russia, according to statements from Russian regional officials.
Debris Caused Fires
Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, reported via Telegram that Russian air defense units had intercepted and destroyed at least one drone that was approaching the capital.
Despite the successful interception, debris from the downed drone caused several brief fires in the Lipetsk region, located in southwestern Russia.
The region's governor confirmed on Telegram that these fires were quickly extinguished and that no injuries were reported, according to Ziare.
Downplays the Damage
Additionally, the governors of the Bryansk and Oryol regions, both situated in western Russia, announced that their air defense systems had destroyed multiple drones in their respective areas.
These regions are located closer to Ukraine and have experienced similar drone attacks in recent months. However, Russian officials did not fully disclose the extent of the damage, particularly regarding military, transport, or energy infrastructure, which have been common targets in previous attacks.
Drone strikes have become a key tactic in Ukraine's effort to disrupt Russian logistics, military operations, and infrastructure. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has increasingly relied on drones to target critical Russian assets far from the front lines.
Ukraine often justifies its aerial strikes as part of a broader strategy to weaken Russia's war capabilities or in retaliation for Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.
Moscow, on the other hand, typically downplays the damage caused by these strikes, particularly when military or energy infrastructure is hit. In addition to drone strikes, Ukraine has employed other methods to strike Russian positions, including long-range artillery and missile systems supplied by Western allies.
