Russia and Ukraine have carried out their largest drone assaults since the onset of the war, with both sides launching extensive aerial strikes over the weekend.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported intercepting 84 Ukrainian drones over six regions, some of which were approaching Moscow. The attacks forced the diversion of flights at three major airports in the capital, underscoring the growing threat of drone warfare.
The majority of the drones were reportedly shot down over areas such as Ramenskoye, Kolomna, and Domodedovo, south-west of Moscow, though some damage was caused by falling debris.
In Ramenskoye, five people were injured and four houses caught fire due to the remnants of the drones. This was the largest drone strike on Moscow since the beginning of the conflict.
Ukrainian air forces, in turn, reported that Russia had launched 145 drones at Ukraine on Saturday night.
Of these, most were intercepted and destroyed, according to Ukraine’s air force, which added that 62 of Russia’s Iranian-made drones were shot down, while 67 others were lost.
Ten drones deviated from their course, heading back into Russian airspace, with some even veering towards Belarus and Moldova.
The strike on Moscow was a particularly notable escalation, marking Ukraine’s largest assault on the Russian capital since the war began.
The retaliatory strikes have caused significant damage on both sides. In southern Ukraine’s Odesa region, at least two people were injured following a Russian drone attack.
Images from the scene showed buildings engulfed in flames and considerable structural damage. Meanwhile, in the Mykolaiv region, an air attack led to the deaths of five people, and several residential buildings were left in ruins.
The intensity of these drone assaults coincides with reports of major territorial shifts on the ground. According to analysis from the Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces made their largest territorial gains in October since March 2022.
However, these advancements came at a heavy cost, with Russian troops reportedly suffering an average of 1,500 dead and injured each day during the same period.
In the United States, the election of Donald Trump as president-elect has stirred further speculation about the future of the conflict.
Trump, who has previously claimed that he could end the war in a single day, has not yet outlined specific plans for achieving peace.
His comments during his campaign about focusing on peace over territorial gains have sparked mixed reactions, including from Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a recent statement, emphasized that peace could only be achieved through a combination of strength and diplomacy, warning against any concessions of Ukrainian land to Russia.
Trump’s stance has garnered attention, with a former advisor suggesting that his administration would seek peace rather than pushing Ukraine to reclaim territory.
However, a spokesperson for Trump quickly distanced the president-elect from those remarks, asserting that they did not reflect his official position.
Trump has spoken briefly with Zelensky since his election victory, and reports indicate that the conversation lasted around half an hour.
Despite the talks, Zelensky remains steadfast in his call for continued international support for Ukraine, particularly from the United States.
As the war rages on, both sides continue to use drones as a primary weapon of warfare, highlighting the evolving nature of the conflict and the persistent dangers faced by civilians caught in the crossfire.