Russian air defence downs Ukrainian drones over Moscow in second consecutive night attack

Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow prompts airport shutdowns as Russian air defence intercepts multiple UAVs targeting the capital.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on May 5, 2025. Photo by Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Sputnik

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Russian air defence forces successfully intercepted and destroyed a wave of Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow for the second consecutive night, according to officials in Moscow. The intensifying drone warfare campaign forced the temporary closure of all major airports serving the capital and triggered heightened security alerts across the region.

Russian air defence reflects Moscow’s growing reliance on anti-aircraft systems to shield critical infrastructure as Ukraine escalates its long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations targeting the Russian heartland.

Nineteen drones shot down before reaching Moscow

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed early Tuesday that at least 19 drones were detected and destroyed as they approached the capital “from different directions.” The Russian air defence systems, deployed around the capital and at key installations, were able to neutralize the majority of the UAVs before they could reach heavily populated areas.

“Emergency services are on-site at all locations where drone debris was found,” Sobyanin stated on his official Telegram channel. “Fortunately, there have been no casualties or significant structural damage.”

However, reports from pro-Kremlin Telegram channels including Baza, Mash, and Shot suggested that at least one drone did manage to strike a residential apartment block in the southern outskirts of the city. While the explosion shattered windows, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities.

Airports grounded amid threat from above

Russia’s federal aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, responded to the drone attacks by suspending operations at all four major airports servicing Moscow: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky. Similar measures were implemented in several regional airports as a precaution.

Flight operations remained halted for several hours as authorities conducted damage assessments and ensured no further threats were present in the airspace around the capital. Although air traffic resumed later in the day, the repeated disruption underscores the increasing strain Ukraine’s drone strikes are placing on Russia’s domestic logistics and transportation networks.

Another drone wave follows Monday’s strike

Tuesday’s incident followed a similar attack the night before, in which multiple drones were reportedly downed near Moscow. On that occasion, Russian authorities claimed that air defence units intercepted a smaller group of four UAVs, all of which were destroyed without causing injuries or physical damage.

The persistence of these aerial incursions has alarmed Russian officials and residents alike. While Moscow remains hundreds of miles from the frontline battles in Ukraine’s east and south, the growing range and frequency of Ukrainian drone operations have rendered the capital increasingly vulnerable.

Drone war intensifies amid protracted conflict

The ongoing drone warfare reflects a new phase in the Russia-Ukraine war, now entering its fourth year. What began in early 2022 as a conventional land and air campaign has evolved into a conflict defined by standoff weapons, long-range missile systems, and increasingly sophisticated drone technology.

Kyiv has ramped up its use of UAVs in recent months, frequently targeting oil depots, rail infrastructure, and airfields deep within Russian territory. Ukrainian military officials argue these attacks are aimed at degrading Moscow’s war-fighting capabilities and retaliating for Russian air strikes that have devastated Ukrainian cities, energy infrastructure, and civilian housing.

Russia has described the war as a special military operation, aimed at demilitarizing Ukraine. In contrast, Ukraine and its Western allies view the invasion as an unprovoked act of aggression and a violation of international law.

Kyiv silent on latest attack

As with previous drone operations, Ukrainian officials did not immediately claim responsibility for the latest UAV strike on Moscow. This is consistent with Ukraine’s longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity when it comes to cross-border operations.

However, Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly stated that such strikes are a legitimate response to Russia’s invasion and continued shelling of Ukrainian territory. Drone attacks have become a preferred method for Ukraine to bypass Russia’s extensive front-line defences and project force into its adversary’s rear areas.

The deadliest drone attack to date occurred in March, when a large-scale Ukrainian strike on Moscow reportedly resulted in three civilian deaths. That incident marked a turning point, revealing Kyiv’s growing capacity to mount strikes far from the front lines.

Air defence systems stretched thin

While Russian air defence remains effective in intercepting the majority of drones, analysts warn that the growing frequency and geographic spread of UAV attacks are stretching the system’s capabilities. Each drone requires identification, tracking, and interception – tasks that consume resources and can cause collateral damage even when successful.

There is also growing concern over the psychological impact on the Russian public. With drone debris falling across major roadways and in residential neighborhoods, the perception of vulnerability is increasing – even among Muscovites who had previously felt insulated from the conflict.

The battle for air superiority enters a new domain

The renewed focus on drone warfare marks a broader shift in military strategy for both Russia and Ukraine. While conventional weaponry still plays a central role on the battlefield, asymmetric technologies like drones are reshaping the war’s trajectory.

Ukraine’s ability to project power across Russian borders through UAVs not only challenges Moscow’s military superiority but also forces Russia to commit resources to defend areas far from the active conflict zones.

As drone attacks on Moscow continue, the stakes grow higher for both sides. For Russia, the challenge lies in protecting its heartland without overextending its defences. For Ukraine, the question is whether these strikes can meaningfully degrade Russian capabilities or simply provoke more intense retaliation.

No end in sight

Tuesday’s drone strike marks the second consecutive night that Russian air defence systems have been tested near the capital. With no signs of de-escalation in the broader conflict, analysts expect drone warfare to remain a central component of Ukraine’s asymmetric strategy.

As the war grinds into its fourth year, both sides continue to seek leverage through technological innovation, airspace denial, and the symbolic power of striking deep into enemy territory. For Moscow residents, the sound of interceptors and falling debris is becoming a familiar – and unsettling – part of daily life.