Russia says it destroyed over 3,000 Ukrainian drones in a week; Indian worker killed near Moscow
Moscow: Russia said it destroyed at least 3,124 Ukrainian drones over the past week, according to data compiled by Russian state news agency RIA from the country’s defence ministry.
The report said the heaviest drone attacks took place on May 13 and May 17, when Russian air defence systems reportedly intercepted 572 and 1,054 drones respectively, mainly over European parts of Russia.
The escalation comes amid one of Ukraine’s largest aerial offensives since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
At least four people were killed during the latest strikes, including three in the Moscow region, according to Russian officials. Among the victims was an Indian worker who died during a drone attack near Moscow, while three other Indian workers were injured.
The Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed the casualty and said embassy officials visited the injured workers in hospital. The embassy added that it was coordinating with local authorities and company management to provide assistance.
The Russian Embassy in New Delhi also expressed condolences over the death and said several civilians had been affected by Ukrainian attacks on facilities in the Moscow region.
Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyev said a woman died after a drone struck her home in Khimki, while two men were killed in Pogorelki village near the Russian capital. Russian media also reported fatalities in the Mytishchi district after drone debris hit a house under construction.
In Russia’s Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border, a man was reportedly killed after a drone struck a truck. Authorities said several residential buildings and infrastructure facilities suffered damage during the attacks.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that Russian air defence systems intercepted more than 120 drones targeting the capital within 24 hours. Russia’s defence ministry later claimed that more than 1,000 drones had been destroyed or jammed across Russia, Crimea, and nearby sea regions in a single day.
Despite the large-scale assault, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport said operations continued normally after drone debris fell on airport grounds without causing significant disruption.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strikes and defended the operation, saying Ukraine was responding to continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Zelenskyy said the drones travelled more than 500 kilometres from Ukrainian territory and showed Ukraine’s growing ability to penetrate Russian air defence systems around Moscow.
Security analysts said the attacks demonstrated Ukraine’s expanding long-range strike capability and increased pressure on the Kremlin by bringing the war closer to civilians living far from the front lines.
The latest escalation follows recent Russian attacks on Kyiv after a temporary ceasefire linked to Russia’s Victory Day commemorations earlier this month. Both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of repeatedly violating the truce.
Ukraine also reported fresh Russian drone strikes overnight, saying hundreds of drones targeted multiple regions including Dnipropetrovsk. Ukrainian officials said several civilians were injured and residential buildings damaged in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and nearby districts.
(With AFP inputs)