Moscow hit by major drone attacks overnight, flight restrictions imposed

Moscow and surrounding areas were struck by a large-scale drone attack overnight, leaving at least one person dead and three others injured.

The attacks, which targeted various locations, come as part of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

Meanwhile, Ukraine also experienced drone strikes. This news was reported by the BBC on Tuesday, with details from local authorities.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, confirmed that casualties occurred in the towns of Vidnoye and Domodedovo, which are located just outside the capital. 

According to reports, seven apartments in a residential building were severely damaged due to the drone strikes.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 73 drones heading toward the city were shot down by defense forces. 

Debris from these drones caused significant damage to the roof of a building. Following the attack, authorities temporarily suspended the local train network and imposed flight restrictions at major Moscow airports. 

Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo airports were among those affected.

This incident, the largest of its kind since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, occurred just hours before an urgent meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, aimed at discussing the conflict’s resolution.

Governor Vorobyov also shared images on social media of the destruction, showing a burned-out car and one of the damaged apartments. 

In the aftermath of the attack, 12 people, including three children, were evacuated from their apartments due to the severe damage.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 337 Ukrainian drones were either shot down or intercepted across Moscow and nine other Russian regions overnight. 

However, Ukraine has yet to comment on these claims.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials confirmed that Russian drones had targeted Kyiv and several other regions in Ukraine. 

At the moment, there is no immediate information on casualties from these attacks.

This overnight strike marks a dangerous escalation in the conflict, with both countries facing significant losses as the war continues to unfold.