Ukraine has launched what Russian authorities described as the largest drone attack yet on Moscow and its surrounding region.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said hundreds of drones were intercepted as they approached the Russian capital.
According to Russian authorities, more than 1,600 drones had been shot down across different areas since Saturday, including about 450 heading towards Moscow.
The attack damaged an apartment building and part of the Moscow oil refinery, one of the major fuel facilities serving the capital region.
Three People Reported Dead
Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said three people had died following the attacks.
Several other residents were injured, while hundreds of people were evacuated from a damaged apartment building in the Ramenskoye district.
Russian officials said the attacks caused damage to residential properties and other facilities across the region.
Oil Refinery Hit
The Moscow refinery was also affected by the overnight drone strikes.
Reuters reported that witnesses saw smoke rising from the refinery after explosions were heard in the area.
The facility processed about 11.6 million metric tonnes of crude oil in 2024, producing millions of tonnes of gasoline and diesel.
Ukraine has previously targeted Russian energy infrastructure as part of its campaign against facilities linked to Russia’s war effort.
Attack Came During Russian Elections
The strikes occurred as Russia’s parliamentary elections entered their final day.
Sobyanin said the attack was intended to disrupt the voting process.
Russian officials accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere with the elections. Ukraine has not publicly claimed responsibility for the Moscow attacks, according to Reuters.
The Russian election was also accompanied by reports of cyberattacks against voting systems.
Ukraine Reports Russian Strikes
At the same time, Ukrainian authorities reported fresh Russian attacks.
Reuters reported that four people, including three children, were killed in a Russian drone attack in the Kyiv region.
Ukrainian authorities also reported damage in several locations following continued Russian strikes.
The latest exchange of attacks comes amid continued fighting between the two countries, with energy and transport infrastructure remaining among the targets.
BBC
