Over Six Hundred Drones Target Moscow Region in Overnight Assault

Russian authorities stated that more than 600 unmanned aerial vehicles were launched toward the Moscow region in an overnight assault, marking another major drone attack on the capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported via Telegram that air defense units intercepted 231 drones on their approach to the city, while the remaining devices were neutralized at distant approaches between the evening of October 28 and the morning of October 29. The Russian defense ministry separately reported that it intercepted and destroyed 1,214 Ukrainian drones across various Russian regions overnight.

The aerial assault prompted operational restrictions at three major Moscow airports—Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—imposed by federal aviation agency Rosaviatsia at approximately 5 a.m. local time. These restrictions were lifted after two hours. According to the state news agency TASS, a source reported that two flights traveling from Turkey to Moscow were forced to turn back due to the temporary measures at Vnukovo.

In addition to the capital region, authorities in Sterlitamak, the second-largest city in Russia’s Bashkortostan region, reported a separate drone strike. Emil Shaimardanov, the head of the Sterlitamak administration, stated that local air defense forces shot down eight drones. Debris fell onto the grounds of an industrial enterprise, causing minor damage, though Shaimardanov noted that the facility continued to operate normally. Ukrainian monitoring channels and the independent Telegram channel Astra published imagery showing smoke rising near the Bashkir Soda Company, which had previously experienced an attack in August.

The exchanges extended across the border as Russian forces conducted strikes in Ukraine. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that an educational institution was damaged during a Russian attack on Ukraine's second-largest city. Ukrainian officials also documented overnight strikes in multiple areas, including an incident in the Rivne region that resulted in the death of one man. Additionally, Russian news agencies cited the defense ministry as stating that a cargo vessel in the Black Sea utilized by the Ukrainian military was struck.

Both nations have escalated military strikes in recent months. The developments occur alongside preparations by Moscow and Kyiv to resume peace discussions next month, with mediation provided by the United States.