Russia Says It Downed 419 Ukrainian Drones, With 60 Near Moscow
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 30
Russia Says It Downed 419 Ukrainian Drones, With 60 Near Moscow
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 30
Summary
Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down 419 drones overnight, including more than 60 headed toward Moscow in several waves.
A 6-month-old child was killed in a town about 60 miles south of the capital, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said emergency crews were working at crash sites and reported no injuries in the city.
The attack came less than two weeks after Ukraine’s biggest drone assault on Moscow of the war and formed part of Kyiv’s effort to disrupt Russian fuel supplies and sever Crimea from mainland Russia.
Those expanding strikes are increasing pressure on Vladimir Putin by bringing the war deeper into Russia even as Moscow keeps pushing for more ground in eastern Ukraine.
As drone attacks on Moscow become common, can Russia's defenses prevent a catastrophic strike on the capital?
Is Ukraine's drone war on oil refineries successfully crippling Russia's economic and military machine?
How is Ukraine's advanced drone technology penetrating Russia's deep and layered air defenses?
Ukraine’s 660-Drone Barrage in June 2026: Escalation, Russian Fallout, and Global Risks
Overview
In late June 2026, Ukraine launched an unprecedented wave of drone attacks deep into Russian territory, with Russia claiming to intercept 660 drones in just two days. This massive barrage led to emergency responses and airport closures, especially around Moscow, where air defenses destroyed dozens of drones before they reached the city. While officials reported no casualties in Moscow, the attacks disrupted daily life and exposed vulnerabilities in Russia’s defenses. The campaign targeted critical infrastructure, including oil refineries, causing fuel shortages and highlighting the growing impact of the conflict on Russian society and its economy.