A warehouse burns near Moscow. In Ukraine, drone crews prepare to strike again

Ukrainian forces launched a long-range attack drone mission from a location undisclosed in Ukraine, targeting Russian deep-strike targets on Sunday, August 16, 2026. The massive logistics center outside Moscow, one of Russia's largest retail warehouses, remained ablaze the following morning, spewing dark smoke into the sky.

Shortly after the previous night's attack, Ukrainian drone crews began preparing for another strike. A small group of soldiers gathered in a sunflower field in southern Ukraine, assembling around 20 drone planes fitted with explosives. These drones were launched toward Russia by the Ukrainian 413th "Raid" Unmanned Systems Regiment, a development observed by a team of Associated Press journalists.

This tactic is part of Ukraine's expanding war effort, with long-range drones designed to strike military, industrial, and logistical sites deep within Russia. Kyiv has intensified its attacks on Russia this year, targeting military industries and energy facilities, as well as giant Wildberries depots. These attacks have brought the conflict closer to the Russian public, disrupting airports, fuel supplies, and morale in Russia.

The Ukrainian 413th "Raid" Unmanned Systems Regiment's commander, Yevhen Karas, confirmed that his unit participated in the strike on the Wildberries warehouse, located about 28 miles south of Moscow, during one of Ukraine's largest attacks on Russian territory.