Ukraine launched what may be its largest drone assault of the war overnight, killing at least six people and igniting a fire at a distribution warehouse near Moscow, Russian authorities said. Russia responded with strikes across Ukraine that killed seven people.
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Key facts
- Russian authorities say at least six people were killed in the drone attack near Moscow.
- A fire broke out at a Wildberries distribution warehouse near the Russian capital.
- Russia's defence ministry claimed it shot down 1,478 Ukrainian drones in 24 hours, its highest ever total.
- Seven Ukrainians were reported killed as Russia bombed 13 locations inside Ukraine.
Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks since the start of the war overnight, causing a fire at a distribution warehouse near Moscow and killing at least six people, according to Russian authorities. The assault has been described as among the biggest attack waves of the conflict.
Russia’s defence ministry initially said it had shot down 822 drones, while the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that 600 drones were flying towards the capital’s region, of which 201 were destroyed. In a later update, the defence ministry said it had shot down 1,478 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours — the highest ever total it has claimed.
The fire broke out at a Wildberries logistics hub near the Russian capital, according to reports from the Guardian and Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera reported that Ukraine launched hundreds of drones across Russia, striking the logistics facility.
The exchange came amid an escalating air war. The Guardian reported that seven Ukrainians were also killed as Russia bombed 13 locations inside the country. The BBC reported that Moscow launched deadly strikes against Ukraine overnight, sparking fires across the capital, Kyiv.
The BBC characterised the drone assault as the largest Ukrainian attack of 2026. Casualty and drone figures cited here are drawn from Russian authorities and have not been independently verified in the sources provided.
The overnight strikes and counter-strikes underscore the intensity of the ongoing air war between the two countries, with both sides reporting deaths and significant damage within a 24-hour period.
Why it matters
The scale of the attack, described as one of the largest of the war, signals a sharp escalation in the aerial conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Strikes on logistics infrastructure near Moscow and deadly retaliatory bombings inside Ukraine highlight the mounting civilian and economic toll on both sides.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were killed in the Ukrainian drone attack?
Russian authorities say at least six people were killed in the drone attack near Moscow, according to the Guardian and Al Jazeera. The BBC reported at least seven killed.
How many drones did Russia say it shot down?
Russia's defence ministry first said it shot down 822 drones, and later said it had destroyed 1,478 Ukrainian drones over 24 hours — the highest total it has ever claimed.
Did Russia strike Ukraine in return?
Yes. According to the Guardian, seven Ukrainians were killed as Russia bombed 13 locations inside the country, and the BBC reported Moscow's strikes sparked fires across Kyiv.
Timeline
- At least six people killed in Ukrainian missile attack on Russia’s Belgorod
Al Jazeera: Overnight Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine kill two people and injure 19.
- Ukrainian drone attack on Russia kills at least six, says Moscow
The Guardian World: Kyiv launches what may be its largest attack wave of war, with fire breaking out at warehouse near Russian capital Ukraine has launched one of its largest drone attacks since the start of the war, causing a fire at a distribution warehouse near Moscow and killing at least six peo
- Largest Ukrainian drone attack on Russia, Moscow says 822 drones shot down
Al Jazeera: Ukraine launched hundreds of drones across Russia, killing at least six people and striking a Wildberries logistics hub.
- Russia says at least seven killed in largest Ukrainian attack of 2026
BBC World: Moscow also launched deadly strikes against Ukraine overnight, sparking fires across the capital Kyiv.
- ‘Massive’ Ukrainian drone attack on Russia kills at least six, says Moscow
The Guardian World: Kyiv launches what may be its largest attack wave of war, with fire breaking out at warehouse near Russian capital Ukraine has launched one of its largest drone attacks since the start of the war, causing a fire at a distribution warehouse near Moscow and killing at least six peo