Ukraine launched drone attacks on Moscow and several Russian regions for the third consecutive night, disrupting air traffic and threatening an industrial facility in the south, Russian authorities said on Wednesday.
Russia’s defence ministry said its air defence systems destroyed 100 Ukrainian drones overnight, including six near Moscow and 13 in regions bordering Ukraine. The attacks on the capital came in several waves, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.
Aviation regulator Rosaviatsiya said three of Moscow’s four airports and several others across Russia were temporarily closed for safety reasons.
Southern Strikes:
Ukraine also targeted the Budyonnovsk industrial zone in the southern Stavropol region, regional governor Vladimir Vladimirov said. Russian forces downed two drones, and there were no casualties or significant damage, he added.
Ukrainian media, including RBK-Ukraine, reported that Kyiv had struck the Stavrolen chemical plant, part of oil major Lukoil’s operations. Reuters could not independently verify the reports, and Russian officials did not specify what was hit.
Why It Matters:
Kyiv has intensified long-range drone strikes in recent months, saying the goal is to hit military and industrial assets, undermine Russia’s war economy, and bring the conflict home to Russian territory.
Recent Pattern:
In the two previous nights, Russian forces destroyed 35 Ukrainian drones over the Moscow region with no reported damage, the defence ministry said.
What’s Next:
Ukraine’s continued drone campaign highlights its growing ability to project attacks deep inside Russia, while Moscow is expected to tighten air defences and possibly escalate retaliatory strikes.
With information from Reuters.
