Ukraine launches nearly 200 drone strikes on Moscow region

Ukrainian drones struck the Moscow region southeast of the capital, with Russian officials reporting that nearly 200 unmanned aircraft participated in the operation.

Russian authorities said the attack damaged a refinery and a shopping center. Emergency services responded to fires at both locations. Russian air defense forces said they intercepted some drones, though officials did not specify how many strikes reached their targets.

Ukrainian officials characterized the operation as among the largest aerial attacks conducted since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine has conducted multiple drone strikes targeting Russian territory throughout the conflict, focusing on military and energy infrastructure.

Russia has responded with air and missile strikes against Ukrainian territory and cities, including strikes on civilian areas. Both nations have conducted sustained aerial campaigns as the conflict continues.

The shopping center strike raised questions about civilian casualties and damage. Russian officials did not immediately provide casualty figures or detailed assessments of damage to the shopping center or surrounding areas.

The refinery represents part of Russia's oil processing capacity. Damage to energy infrastructure has been a recurring target in the conflict, with Ukraine seeking to disrupt Russian military logistics and fuel supplies.

Neither side provided independent verification of damage assessments or confirmed the total number of drones deployed. Ukrainian and Russian officials offered competing accounts of the operation's scope and effects, as has occurred with previous strikes.