In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine targeted Moscow with one of the largest drone attacks on the Russian capital since the war began in 2022. On August 21, 2024, Russian officials reported that their air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed all 45 drones launched by Ukraine, including 11 that directly threatened the Moscow region. The attack highlights Ukraine’s growing use of drone warfare as it seeks to pressure Russia by striking deep into its territory.

The strike comes on the heels of intensified fighting in the border regions, particularly in Russia’s western Kursk area, where Ukrainian forces have made incursions since early August. The conflict, which has largely been characterized by artillery and drone battles in eastern Ukraine, has seen Ukraine increasingly target Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries and airfields. However, major attacks on Moscow, a city of over 21 million people, have been relatively rare.

Despite the scale of the drone assault, Russian authorities reported no casualties or significant damage. Moscow’s airports, including Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky, temporarily restricted flights but resumed normal operations after a few hours. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin credited the capital’s layered air defense system for successfully repelling the attack, describing it as one of the largest attempts to strike the city.

While life in Moscow appeared to continue as usual, with cafes and shops bustling, the attack underscores the increasing reach and boldness of Ukraine’s military strategy. Russian citizens expressed a mix of concern and confidence in the city’s defenses, with some warning that Ukraine was taking significant risks by extending its attacks to Russian soil.

As the conflict grinds on, with Russia controlling about 18% of Ukrainian territory, the situation remains volatile. The drone strike on Moscow, comparable to a similar attack in May 2023, signals that the war is far from over, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.