Russia shot down 25 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow overnight from Saturday to Sunday, marking one of the largest drone attacks on the capital since the onset of the conflict in 2022, according to Moscow's mayor.
Sergei Sobyanin initially reported 22 drones had been intercepted, but later confirmed that the total number of downed drones was 25.
He said most of the drones were heading toward the Ramenskoye and Domodedovo districts south of Moscow, temporarily halting flights at the Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports according to airport authorities.
Media reports said the attack caused a fire in a village in Ramenskoye, with several houses in flames.
The attack came as Russia is hosting diplomats and top officials from around 50 African countries in the Black Sea resort of Sochi for a ministerial conference.
Russian authorities report the destruction of Ukrainian drones almost daily but the attacks rarely target the capital.
Ukraine has said the attacks, which often target energy production sites, are a response to Russian bombings on its territory since fighting began in February 2022.
Source: AFP
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
