Two Killed in Major Drone Attack on Moscow, Russia Blames Ukraine

At least two people were killed after a large-scale drone attack targeted Moscow and surrounding areas on Sunday, according to Russian officials. The attack came as Russia was holding the final day of its first parliamentary elections since the war with Ukraine began in 2022.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the incident as the largest drone attack on the Russian capital so far this year. Russian authorities said hundreds of drones were intercepted, although the exact number remains disputed.

According to Russian officials cited in reports, more than 1,600 drones were intercepted and destroyed, with around 450 allegedly targeting Moscow. However, figures reported by other international agencies, citing the Russian Defence Ministry, put the number of drones shot down across Russia and Crimea at around 1,110.

Moscow regional Governor Andrey Vorobyov said two people were killed in separate locations. The victims included a 44-year-old woman and an elderly man. A drone crash also reportedly caused a fire at a 21-storey residential building, leading to the evacuation of around 400 people.

The Russian government accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the parliamentary elections through the drone strikes. Sobyanin said the attack had been planned to interfere with voting, while claiming that the attempt was unsuccessful.

The elections were being held across Russia, including in regions of Ukraine that Moscow claims to have annexed. Voting was also taking place in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Kyiv has rejected the legitimacy of these polls and has described them as illegal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian drones had targeted a Russian oil facility and other energy-related infrastructure. He said the strikes came after Ukraine faced thousands of drones, aerial bombs and missile attacks from Russia during the week.

Zelensky also said Ukraine remained prepared for negotiations to end the war. He called for political steps towards de-escalation, particularly in areas involving energy and food security.

The latest strikes add to the continuing escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both sides continuing to target military and strategic infrastructure while diplomatic efforts remain uncertain.