Russia stated on Sunday (May 17th) that Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack against Moscow and its surrounding areas overnight, resulting in at least four deaths. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed the attack and stated that it was a legitimate response to Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities.
In addition to Moscow, other areas in Russia were also targeted in the attacks. So far, a total of four people have been reported dead, with three of them from the Moscow region.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that as of midday Sunday, over 1000 Ukrainian drones have been shot down or experienced electronic interference within Russian territory in the past 24 hours.
According to Tass news agency quoting Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, since midnight, air defense forces have shot down 81 drones flying towards Moscow, marking the largest-scale attack on Moscow in over a year.
Sobyanin stated that 12 people were injured, with most of the casualties near the entrance to a Moscow refinery, and three houses were damaged. He added that the “technical equipment” of the refinery remained undamaged.
A statement from Sheremetyevo Airport, Russia’s busiest aviation hub, mentioned that some drone debris fell on the airport grounds with no reports of casualties or property damage.
Prior to Ukraine initiating its latest round of attacks against Russia, Russia had launched intense drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv since the outbreak of the conflict. According to Ukrainian authorities, these airstrikes resulted in at least 25 deaths and dozens of injuries. President Zelensky vowed to retaliate against Russia’s attacks on Kyiv on Friday, May 15th.
Zelensky confirmed Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes against Russia on social media platform X on Sunday, stating, “Our response to Russia’s prolongation of the war and attacks on our cities and communities is entirely justified.”
“This time, Ukraine’s long-range strikes have reached the Moscow region, and we are clearly telling the Russian people: their country must end this war,” Zelensky said, further adding, “Ukrainian drone and missile manufacturers are still in production. I thank the Ukrainian Security Service and all the Ukrainian Armed Forces for their precise actions.”
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is now capable of targeting objectives over 500 kilometers beyond the Ukrainian border. Despite Russia’s concentrated air defense in the Moscow region, Ukraine is overcoming these challenges.
In the past 24 hours, Ukraine has also been targeted by Russia. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 287 drones overnight, resulting in at least 9 injuries in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. The Ukrainian Air Force added that all drones, except for 8, were shot down at 7 different locations.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its drone attacks on deep targets within Russia, aiming to destroy refineries, oil depots, and pipelines, as both sides attempt to weaken each other’s infrastructure.