Ukrainian armed forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Moscow and other Russian regions between May 15 and May 16 [1].
The operation marks a significant escalation in Ukrainian efforts to strike deep inside Russian territory. According to data from the Moscow mayor, this raid was the largest of its kind in two years [1].
Reports on the scale of the attack vary between sources. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 600 drones flew toward Moscow, of which 201 were shot down [1]. A separate report from Reuters said 400 drones were involved in the operation [2].
The drones targeted Moscow city and the surrounding Moscow Oblast, including a Wildberries warehouse [1]. Other Russian regions, such as Rostov, were also hit during the wave of strikes [1].
Casualty figures also differ across reports. One report said six people died across the Moscow and Rostov regions [1]. However, Reuters said two people were injured and did not report any deaths [2].
Russian defenses worked to intercept the incoming aircraft throughout the night and into the morning. The volume of drones used suggests an intensified effort by Ukraine to overwhelm air defense systems in the capital region [1].
“This raid was the largest of its kind in two years.”
The disparity in reported drone counts and casualty figures highlights the difficulty of verifying data during active conflict. However, the scale of the attack, regardless of whether the count was 400 or 600, demonstrates Ukraine's increasing capability to penetrate Russian airspace and strike high-value logistical and urban targets near the seat of power.
