Ukraine launched more than 400 drones targeting Moscow, according to the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, in one of the largest aerial assaults on the Russian capital. The widespread drone deployment occurred hours after Russia conducted its own barrage of ballistic missiles against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, underscoring the escalating and relentless nature of the conflict.
Most of the drones were reportedly downed away from the capital, but 85 were intercepted near Moscow. Ten people were injured by falling debris, and several residential buildings and civilian infrastructure sites sustained damage, according to Andrei Vorobyov, the head of the region surrounding Moscow. A fire broke out at the Yuzhnye Vrata industrial park south of Moscow, and reports also indicated a fire at an oil depot in Podolsk, though this was not officially confirmed.
The increased reliance on long-range drone technology by Ukraine presents a significant challenge for Russia, whose vast territory is difficult to fully defend. Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted Russian oil facilities, aiming to disrupt fuel supplies and create political embarrassment for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is engaged in critical discussions to address a domestic political crisis. A recent government reshuffle highlighted divisions within Ukraine regarding war strategy, pitting the military's established figures against younger innovators. Zelenskyy is working to assure the Ukrainian public that the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, and the retention of General Oleksandr Syrskyi, 60, as armed forces chief will not jeopardize the war effort. The decisions followed days of protests in Ukraine supporting Fedorov and opposing Syrskyi.
In parallel, Russia has intensified its use of ballistic missiles. On Sunday, a Russian bombardment using these missiles killed at least six people and injured dozens in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, noted that Russia has expended more ballistic missiles in July against Ukraine than it reportedly produces monthly, suggesting a depletion of stockpiles to maintain offensive pressure.
Russia's Defense Ministry stated that its forces targeted fuel tanks in Odesa overnight. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched two missiles and 94 long-range drones overnight, with air defenses intercepting 81 drones and one missile causing damage at nine locations.