Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Strike on Russia, Killing One and Disrupting Airports

Ukraine launched a large-scale overnight drone attack targeting Moscow and several Russian regions, killing one person and temporarily shutting down airports near the capital, Russian authorities said Friday.

According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, 155 Ukrainian drones were intercepted between 11 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday, including 11 aimed at Moscow. Most drones were downed over Russia’s border regions—Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk—while several reached deeper into Russian territory.

Three of Moscow’s major airports—Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—temporarily suspended operations due to the attacks but have since resumed, aviation regulator Rosaviatsia confirmed.

A drone crashed into an agricultural facility in Russia’s Lipetsk region, sparking a brief fire. Regional Governor Igor Artamonov reported one death and one injury from the incident. The defense ministry stated four drones were shot down over Lipetsk, but did not disclose the total number launched.

Kyiv has not officially commented on the strikes, but Ukrainian officials have consistently said drone and missile attacks on Russian soil are meant to disrupt military infrastructure and are in retaliation for Moscow’s continued assaults on Ukraine.

The exact scale of the drone operation remains unclear, as Russia only reports the number of UAVs it intercepts, not the full count launched. Reuters was unable to independently verify the claims made by Russian authorities.

This latest wave of drone strikes highlights Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to weaken Russia’s logistical and military capabilities amid the prolonged conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The escalating cross-border drone warfare adds pressure to Russia’s air defense systems and underscores Ukraine’s growing ability to conduct deep strikes into Russian territory.