'Largest ever' attack on Moscow? Ukraine fires over 1,000 drones into Russia

Ukrainian officials have confirmed that over 1,000 drones were launched at Russia overnight, with hundreds targeting Moscow in what was described as the largest attack ever on the Russian capital. The strikes resulted in two deaths and 20 injuries in the Moscow region, as well as damage to an oil refinery and residential building.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the attack as part of efforts to dismantle Russia's energy infrastructure, which funds the war effort. Zelenskyy specifically mentioned the use of domestically developed Flamingo and Pelican missiles in the assault. Meanwhile, a separate incident near Kyiv saw the death of a mother and her two children in a Russian drone attack.

Russia claimed to have shot down 1,100 Ukrainian drones, including those in Crimea and the Black Sea. The attacks coincided with the final day of Russian parliamentary elections, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claiming the strikes were intended to disrupt the voting process. However, he stated that 450 drones were destroyed en route to Moscow.

Russia also held elections in the four Ukrainian regions it annexed. Ukraine considers these elections illegitimate. The conflict has seen Ukraine develop advanced military drone capabilities, with the country's strategy aiming to intensify pressure on President Vladimir Putin and potentially lead to a peace settlement. Fighting along the approximately 1,250 km front line in eastern and southern Ukraine has reportedly slowed, making troop movements more challenging due to the prevalence of drones and ground robots.