Russian authorities reported repelling a large-scale Ukrainian drone offensive that took place late Tuesday (May 27, 2025) into early Wednesday (May 28, 2025), prompting the temporary suspension of flights at two Moscow airports.

According to a Telegram statement from the Defence Ministry, 112 Ukrainian drones were “destroyed and intercepted” across six regions during a three-hour window leading up to midnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that 12 drones aimed at the capital were successfully downed.

The ministry specified that 59 of the drones targeted the Bryansk region in the southwest, with additional drones directed at the Kursk, Belgorod, Tula, Oryol, and Kaluga regions.

This wave of drone activity follows Ukraine’s claim that it had endured its most intense series of Russian drone strikes in three days since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Although Ukrainian drone attacks are reported by the Russian military almost daily, the scale and speed of this particular assault are considered unusual. Moscow, located hundreds of kilometers from the border, rarely faces drone attacks of this magnitude.

Recent weeks have seen a growing number of flight diversions from Moscow airports due to security concerns. The Federal Aviation Transport Agency confirmed that operations were temporarily restricted at Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports during the latest attack.

Ukraine has alleged that Russia launched over 900 drones during the three days leading up to Monday (May 26, 2025), with drone strikes on Sunday (May 25, 2025) killing 13 civilians, including three children.

In response, Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) that it carried out retaliatory drone and missile strikes against what it described as Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, labeling the initial drone offensive a “provocation.”