A Ukrainian drone swarm struck the Moscow region on Saturday, killing two people and causing infrastructure damage and power outages, Russian officials said.
Moscow region authorities confirmed that a drone attack on Saturday resulted in two fatalities and significant infrastructure damage. The Russian defence ministry said the strike was carried out by Ukrainian unmanned aircraft and described it as "massive".
Casualties
Local officials reported that two people were killed in the attack. No further details about the victims have been released, but the death toll was confirmed by the regional administration during a press briefing.
Infrastructure damage
Among the targets hit was an oil refinery located near the city of Moscow. The refinery sustained damage to its processing units, prompting an immediate safety shutdown. The Russian energy ministry announced that the plant would undergo an assessment to determine the extent of the impact on fuel supplies.
Air travel impact
Following the attack, flights were suspended at both of Moscow’s main international airports, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo. Airport officials cited safety concerns and the need to coordinate with air‑defence units. The temporary halt affected thousands of passengers, with airlines promising to re‑book or refund tickets once operations resume.
Official response
In a statement, the Russian defence ministry said its air‑defence forces had intercepted multiple drones, but some managed to reach their targets. The ministry warned that further attacks could occur and urged citizens to remain vigilant.
Broader context
The incident marks one of the few times the capital’s airspace has been directly targeted since the conflict began. Analysts from the Moscow Institute of International Relations noted that the strike demonstrates an escalation in the use of long‑range drones, though they cautioned that official casualty figures are often difficult to verify independently.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and emergency services are on standby to respond to any additional threats.
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