350 drones flew toward Moscow overnight, Sobyanin claims

On September 18, Rostov Governor Yuri Slyusar reported that over 50 Ukrainian drones were shot down in Russia's Rostov region the previous night during an attack. No injuries were reported. The assault caused damage to five private homes and several vehicles in the city of Azov, and the roofs and windows of eight apartment buildings in the Neklinovsky district. Ukrainian media outlet Supernova+ claimed that an air base in Rostov-on-Don was also targeted, though Russian authorities have disputed this claim.

Earlier, on September 17, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that more than 350 Ukrainian drones were on a path toward the Russian capital, starting on the evening of the 17th. Most of these drones were destroyed at a long range by Russian air defenses. An additional 64 drones were shot down as they approached Moscow. Sobyanin did not provide details on the impact of the attack.

Rostov-on-Don faced a significant drone assault on September 17, leaving parts of the city without electricity. Reports indicated a fire at the Rostov-on-Don — Tsentralny military airfield, a location housing helicopters and planes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that an An-12 plane, two An-26 planes, and three helicopters sustained damage, but Russian authorities have not confirmed these assertions.