The use of drones in the Russia-Ukraine war has reached unprecedented levels, with both sides launching record numbers of drone attacks in what is becoming an increasingly intense phase of the conflict.
On Saturday night, Russia unleashed 145 drones in a single assault—the largest nighttime drone strike of the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the attack, stating, “Last night, Russia launched a record 145 Shahed drones and other strike drones against Ukraine.” Shahed drones are low-cost, one-way devices that are launched with a pre-programmed flight path, autonomously targeting their intended destinations.
Zelensky also reported that Russia had escalated its aerial bombardment in recent days, deploying more than 800 guided bombs, around 600 strike drones, and nearly 20 missiles over the past week.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that by 9:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, it had intercepted 62 of the incoming drones. The Air Force also reported that 67 Russian drones were destroyed or lost in different regions, while 10 drones veered off course, leaving Ukrainian airspace and heading towards Moldova, Belarus, and Russia.
In a major counterstrike, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow since the beginning of the war. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, 34 drones were fired toward the Russian capital overnight into Sunday. Russian air defenses reportedly shot down all of the incoming drones between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time, preventing any direct hits on the city.
Despite the successful interceptions, drone debris caused fires in two homes in the Moscow suburb of Ramenskoye. A 52-year-old woman was injured by shrapnel and was hospitalized with burns to her face, neck, and hands. She is currently in intensive care but is reported to be stable.
The drone attack also disrupted air travel in Moscow. Flights at two major airports—Domodedovo and Zhukovsky—were temporarily restricted from 8 a.m. local time. The restrictions, which lasted until shortly after 10 a.m., affected several flights but operations resumed promptly after the airspace was cleared.
This latest strike on Moscow marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s ability to hit deep within Russian territory. The previous largest drone attack on the Russian capital occurred in September, when Ukrainian forces launched at least 20 drones, which were mostly intercepted by Russian defenses. That assault resulted in the death of at least one person, airport closures, and the diversion of nearly 50 flights.
As both sides continue to expand their use of drones, these aerial exchanges signal a major shift in the conflict, with drones now playing a central role in offensive operations. The growing reliance on drone technology is pushing the boundaries of modern warfare, transforming the way both sides engage in the ongoing war.