Russian air defenses down up to 80 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow

Russian air defenses successfully intercepted up to 80 Ukrainian drones that were heading toward the capital region overnight, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Between midnight and 8:45 AM, the air defense systems engaged the unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the city, which has become a primary objective for Kyiv.

In response to the drone activity, all airports in the Moscow region temporarily closed their airspace during the night. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a total of 301 Ukrainian drones were destroyed during this latest large-scale night attack on the country.

The drones were reportedly shot down across numerous Russian regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Rostov, Tambov, Tver, Tula, Smolensk, Krasnodar, and the Moscow region itself. Additionally, drones were neutralized over the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, as well as over the Black and Azov Seas.

Crimea has been a frequent target in recent weeks, with numerous logistical hubs being destroyed, impacting the territory's connectivity to Russia. The peninsula is linked to mainland Russia via routes through occupied Ukrainian territories and the Kerch Strait Bridge.

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Between midnight and 08:45 hours, Russian air defenses intercepted up to 80 unmanned aerial vehicles that were heading against the city.