Ukraine launched more than 400 drones targeting the Moscow region late Sunday and early Monday, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Most of the drones were reportedly downed far from the capital, with 85 intercepted near Moscow. The attack resulted in injuries to 10 people and damaged several residential buildings and civilian infrastructure facilities, according to Andrei Vorobyov, the head of the region surrounding Moscow. Fires were reported at an industrial park and potentially an oil depot south of the capital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukrainian forces struck logistics facilities and an oil depot in the Moscow region, as well as two vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet" and four dry cargo ships in the Black Sea. It was not possible to independently verify all claims from both sides.
This wave of drone attacks follows a period of retaliatory strikes, with Russia bombarding Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles. Ukrainian officials stated that these Russian missile attacks killed at least six people and wounded dozens on Sunday. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, noted that Russia has increased its use of ballistic missiles in July, appearing to draw from stockpiles due to their higher success rate compared to drones and cruise missiles.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky is navigating a domestic political crisis. A recent government reshuffle exposed a division between established military figures and younger innovators regarding war strategy. Zelensky aims to reassure Ukrainians that the dismissal of 35-year-old Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the retention of 60-year-old General Oleksandr Syrskyi as armed forces chief will not compromise Ukraine's war effort. This decision has led to days of street protests in support of Fedorov and against Syrskyi.
Ukraine's development of long-range drone technology has posed a persistent challenge for Russia, particularly targeting its oil facilities. The ongoing cycle of attacks underscores the distant prospect of a settlement to end Russia's invasion, which began over four years ago.