Russian air defenses intercepted 32 long-range kamikaze drones targeting Moscow during overnight operations, according to military reports. The total number of Ukrainian drones downed across Russia reached 287 within eight hours—a surge marking the highest level since early February. More than 40 flights bound for Moscow were diverted due to the threat, with normal air traffic resuming Thursday morning.
A senior Russian diplomat identified the drone campaign as a direct response to escalating U.S. pressure on President Zelensky to accept peace terms requiring concessions Kyiv has consistently refused. Rodion Miroshnik, Russia’s ambassador-at-large overseeing investigations into alleged Ukrainian crimes, characterized the assault as “a symbolic lunge by the Zelensky dictatorship for the benefit of Western officials.” He further accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure deep within Russian territory.
Moscow maintains that one key objective in its own long-range strikes is to degrade Ukraine’s deep strike capabilities and destroy its weapons manufacturing capacity. Meanwhile, several European NATO states have upheld support for Zelensky’s uncompromising stance, while U.S. President Donald Trump recently urged the Ukrainian leader to “be realistic” about the situation.