Russia said it repelled a record-breaking drone attack overnight into Wednesday, destroying nearly 300 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including near the capital. The strike forced Moscow to close its major airports temporarily.
The large-scale drone barrage came just after Ukraine endured its most intense wave of Russian airstrikes since the start of the invasion. Kyiv said Russia launched nearly 1,000 drones and missiles between Saturday and Monday, killing 13 civilians – including three children – on Sunday alone.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that from 9 p.m. on May 27 to 7 a.m. on May 28, air defense systems destroyed or intercepted 296 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.
The drones were reported over the Moscow region and 13 other areas: Bryansk, Belgorod, Vladimir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kursk, Orel, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver, and Tula.
Earlier estimates put the number of drones at 145, but the new figure marks the largest single drone assault on Russian territory since the full-scale war began in 2022.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 33 drones were shot down as they approached the capital. In the wider Moscow region, Governor Andrei Vorobyov said 42 drones were intercepted across 12 municipalities. Three residential buildings were damaged in Chekhov, but no casualties were reported.
Russia reports Ukrainian drone attacks often, but officials said this one was unusual in size. Moscow, located hundreds of kilometres from the border with Ukraine, is rarely the target of such a major strike.
In Dubna, a city near Moscow, a drone struck the Kronshtadt plant, according to Russian independent Telegram channel ASTRA. A video shared online on Wednesday morning appeared to show the moment a drone hit the facility.
The Kronshtadt plant is known for developing and producing unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Orion attack and reconnaissance drones, according to unconfirmed reports. The company’s website states it has been developing drone technologies for over 15 years for both Russian and global markets.
In Zelenograd, another city within Moscow district, a drone struck the ELMA technopark. A fire broke out after the explosion, with video showing a car engulfed in flames. No serious injuries were reported.
According to Russian media, ELMA is also involved in unmanned systems production. Its website describes its focus on electronics, control systems, optical technologies, and research and development.
Based on the attack, flights were temporarily suspended at Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports, according to the Federal Air Transport Agency. All reopened Wednesday morning. Airlines, including Aeroflot and Pobeda, said they had to adjust schedules due to the closures.
In the Bryansk region, Governor Alexander Bogomaz said 59 drones were shot down. Some damaged apartment buildings, shops, and cars in Bryansk city, but no injuries were reported.
Based on official reports from the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched a total of 995 drones and missiles at Ukraine over the weekend.
On the night of May 24, 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles were launched. That number increased on May 25 to 298 drones and 69 missiles of various types, followed by 355 drones and nine cruise missiles on May 26.
Despite this, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its recent airstrikes were in response to Ukrainian drone and missile attacks that had caused civilian casualties inside Russia.
Moscow also claimed that since May 20, Ukraine has launched 1,465 drones into Russian territory, injuring “Russian civilians, including women and children.” The Kremlin warned it would continue strikes “in response to any terrorist attacks or provocations by Kyiv.”
Following Russia’s unprecedented three-day bombardment of Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said that Putin “has gone absolutely crazy” and is now “seriously considering” lifting all Biden-era restrictions on Ukraine’s war effort.
