Ukraine conducted a large-scale drone assault on Moscow and surrounding regions late Monday, striking a major satellite communication center for the second time in a week, officials reported.
Kyiv launched more than 60 drones targeting the Russian capital, as part of a broader wave of attacks across 18 Russian regions that saw Moscow intercept a total of 419 drones. The attack hit the Dubna communication center, located approximately 310 miles from the border, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated is used for reconnaissance and coordinating Russian occupation forces in Ukraine.
"Step by step, we are implementing our plan of long-range sanctions and making it as difficult as possible for the aggressor state to carry out its invasion operations against Ukraine and the occupation of our territories," Zelensky wrote on the social media platform X. He noted that Ukrainian forces had previously reached four similar Russian centers in the Moscow and Vladimir regions.
Escalation of Strikes
Ukraine has intensified its pressure campaign against Russia throughout the year, with drone attacks on Moscow becoming increasingly frequent and reportedly contributing to discontent among Russians over the conflict. These strikes have largely focused on Russia's oil and energy infrastructure. Ukrainian military assessments suggest these intense strikes have begun to degrade Moscow's defenses, creating openings for successful strikes on the capital and St. Petersburg.
The Kremlin condemned the latest attacks, with Moscow regional official Andrey Vorobyov reporting that a six-month-old baby was killed when a drone crashed into a home southeast of the capital. Russian authorities stated that the drone assault led to civilian casualties, including children.