Russia says more than 400 Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow region overnight

Monday 20 July 2026 - 10:00

By: Sahili Aya

Russia says more than 400 Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow region overnight

Russian authorities say the Moscow region was targeted by one of the largest reported drone attacks of the conflict overnight, with more than 400 Ukrainian drones launched toward the capital's surrounding area.

According to officials, air defense systems intercepted the majority of the unmanned aerial vehicles before they reached the city, although the attack resulted in injuries and damage in parts of the region.

Russian authorities report large-scale interception

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the drone assault unfolded between 8:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with Russian air defense units engaging hundreds of incoming aircraft.

In a statement, Sobyanin said that most of the drones were destroyed at a considerable distance from Moscow, while 85 drones were intercepted as they approached the capital.

The figures were provided by Russian authorities and have not been independently verified.

Injuries reported south of Moscow

Officials said six people injured in explosions were transported to a hospital in Domodedovo, south of Moscow. Medical authorities reported that the victims suffered injuries of varying severity.

Regional officials have also reported damage to buildings in parts of the Moscow region following recent drone strikes, although authorities have not released a comprehensive assessment of the latest incident's material impact.

Conflict increasingly marked by long-range drone warfare

Long-range drone attacks have become an increasingly significant feature of the war between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides relying on unmanned aerial systems to strike military and strategic targets far from the front lines.

Russia has repeatedly reported intercepting drones aimed at Moscow and other regions, while Ukraine has intensified its use of long-range capabilities as the conflict has evolved.

The latest reported attack illustrates the growing scale and frequency of drone operations, underscoring the expanding role of aerial technologies in modern warfare and the continuing pressure on air defense systems.