Ukraine launches massive drone assault on Moscow, closing airports
Ukrainian forces unleashed one of their largest drone barrages on Moscow and surrounding Russian regions late on January 3 and overnight into January 4, prompting temporary shutdowns of two major airports and widespread flight disruptions in the capital. Russia's Defense Ministry reported intercepting 90 Ukrainian drones between 11:30 p.m. on January 3 and 7 a.m. on January 4, with the heaviest concentrations over Bryansk Oblast where 37 were downed, and Kursk Oblast with 22 destroyed. Eleven more fell over the Moscow region, including three headed straight for the city, following an earlier wave where authorities claimed to neutralize 103 drones from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated air defenses shot down 19 drones approaching the city that evening. Residents in Odintsovo, Domodedovo, Zelenograd, and Lobnya districts reported explosions and flashes in the sky.
The assault forced Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency to close Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports temporarily, along with facilities in Yaroslavl and Ivanovo to the north and northeast. Over 140 flights faced delays, affecting 107 arrivals and 38 departures, with some rerouted to Sheremetyevo.
Russian officials reported minimal ground damage. Bryansk and Rostov governors confirmed no casualties or destruction in their areas. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said one woman was injured in Gubkin, with several homes damaged. By Sunday morning, the Defense Ministry announced downing 42 more Ukrainian drones.
The strike continues Ukraine's escalated long-range campaign against Russian soil. Russia claimed to have downed over 4,300 Ukrainian drones in December alone, averaging 141 daily. Ukrainian officials say their operations target military sites and energy infrastructure supporting Russia's war effort. Kyiv has not officially claimed the Moscow attack, though it previously acknowledged strikes to degrade Russian capabilities. The assault coincided with Russia launching 52 drones at Ukraine that night, of which Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 39.
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