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14 Mar 2025, Fri

Ukraine launches largest drone attack with 337 units against Moscow, escalating war tensions

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The early hours of Tuesday, March 11, witnessed one of the most intense episodes in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as the Russian capital, Moscow, became the target of a massive Ukrainian drone assault. Two people were killed and 18 injured amid explosions that reverberated across the city, damaging residential buildings and vehicles. The bombardment, which saw Russian air defenses shoot down 337 Ukrainian drones, sparked fires and temporarily halted flights at four Moscow airports, alongside disruptions to rail transport. Russia’s Ministry of Defense labeled the offensive as the largest against Moscow since the war began in February 2022, while the Kremlin accused Kyiv of deliberately targeting civilian areas. The attack unfolded just hours before a critical meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia, aimed at negotiating a ceasefire.

Explosions lit up Moscow’s sky starting at 4 a.m. local time, as reported by Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, in a Telegram post. He described the event as a “massive drone attack” that struck multiple locations, including the Ramenskoye district, roughly 50 km from the Kremlin. Footage shared by Russian media channels revealed apartments with shattered windows, perforated rooftops, and flames engulfing homes, underscoring the assault’s impact on one of Europe’s largest metropolitan areas, home to over 21 million people.

Russia’s response was swift, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stating that air defenses downed about 70 drones in multiple waves approaching the city. Beyond Moscow, regions like Kursk, Belgorod, and Ryazan also faced Ukrainian drone strikes, broadening the scope of the offensive. Ukraine has yet to issue an official statement on the operation, leaving the total number of launched drones and the specific goals of the assault unclear.

Civilian targets and infrastructure under fire

The attack’s toll was keenly felt in Moscow’s residential zones, where falling drone debris caused significant destruction. In Ramenskoye, at least seven apartments were hit, forcing residents to evacuate a multi-story building. Vorobyov reported that emergency teams were quickly deployed to extinguish fires and assist victims, including a 38-year-old guard and a 50-year-old man among the deceased. Another 18 people, including three children, were injured, according to local authorities, who released images of wrecked apartments and charred vehicles.

Transportation infrastructure also bore the brunt of the assault. The train station in the Domodedovo district, 35 km south of Moscow, sustained damage from debris, briefly halting rail services. The city’s four main airports—Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—suspended operations for hours, with 46 flights rerouted to other cities. Airports in Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod, east of Moscow, also closed temporarily as a safety measure, though operations resumed later that morning.

The scale of the attack stunned observers due to its audacity, as Moscow, located some 500 km from Ukraine’s border, has rarely faced direct strikes in the conflict. Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that of the 337 drones downed, 91 fell over the Moscow region, while 126 were intercepted in Kursk, an area partially controlled by Ukrainian forces since August 2024. Other affected regions included Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Lipetsk, Oryol, and Ryazan, highlighting the offensive’s extensive reach.

Military escalation at a pivotal moment

As the war enters its third year, Ukraine has ramped up efforts to bring the conflict onto Russian soil, using drones as a primary weapon to strike both strategic and civilian targets. Tuesday’s assault reflects a tactical shift, with Kyiv aiming to pressure Moscow in retaliation for Russian bombardments that have ravaged Ukrainian cities for over two years. The timing aligns with a precarious battlefield situation, where Russian forces are advancing in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk, while seeking to expel Ukrainian troops from Kursk.

Ukraine’s use of drones is not new, but the magnitude of this operation underscores Kyiv’s technological and logistical advancements. Models like the R18, capable of flying from Kyiv to Moscow and back, and the “Bober” drone, with a range of about 1,000 km, are believed to be part of Ukraine’s arsenal. These weapons, often developed by local experts since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, enable long-range strikes, challenging Russia’s air defenses, which include sophisticated systems protecting the capital.

Meanwhile, Russia maintains a stance of retaliation, with President Vladimir Putin labeling Ukrainian attacks as “terrorism” against civilians. The Kremlin vowed to respond, amplifying claims that Ukraine’s leadership poses a direct threat to national security. This exchange of accusations unfolds amid growing international involvement, with the United States and Western allies debating the extent to which Kyiv should be allowed to use supplied weapons to strike deep into Russian territory.

Damage and reactions in Moscow

The assault left visible scars on Moscow, a city that had largely remained insulated from the war’s hardships until now. Residential buildings in Vidnoye, within the Moscow region, appeared in images with shattered facades and burning apartments, while videos on Russian Telegram channels showed fireballs lighting up the night. Governor Vorobyov reported that 12 people, including three children, were evacuated from their homes, with rescue teams still working to extinguish fires and assess the damage.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin praised the effectiveness of air defenses, asserting that the “most massive enemy drone attack” was successfully repelled. Yet, the disruption to transportation and damage to residential areas rattled residents’ sense of security. Locals described waking to nearby explosions in a state of panic, a stark departure from the normalcy Moscow had maintained despite the distant conflict.

In border regions like Belgorod, the attacks also caused disruptions, with several areas losing power due to downed drones. The local governor said authorities were working to restore services, while in Ryazan, southeast of Moscow, minor damage was reported but no casualties so far.

Timeline of drone attacks on Russia

Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory have escalated over the years, marking a progression in the conflict. Below is a overview of key events:

  • May 2023: Eight drones are shot down over Moscow, one of the first significant attacks on the capital. Putin calls it an attempt to intimidate Russia.
  • August 2023: Drones hit Moscow’s financial district, including Economy Ministry buildings, showcasing Ukraine’s ability to target strategic sites.
  • September 2024: An attack with 20 drones in Ramenskoye, Moscow region, kills one woman and damages apartments, the largest at that point.
  • November 2024: Moscow faces 32 drones, surpassing the prior record, with airport disruptions and one injury.
  • March 2025: The assault with 337 drones, including 91 in the Moscow region, becomes the war’s most extensive, with two deaths and widespread damage.

This timeline illustrates the growing frequency and scale of Ukraine’s drone operations, evolving from isolated strikes to large-scale offensives that test Russia’s defensive capabilities.

Impacts beyond the capital

Beyond Moscow, the attack rippled across other Russian regions, exposing vulnerabilities far from the front lines. In Kursk, where 126 drones were downed, the presence of Ukrainian forces in parts of the region since August 2024 makes it a frequent target. Drone debris damaged local infrastructure, though no casualties have been reported. In Belgorod, near Ukraine’s border, power outages affected thousands, while Bryansk and Voronezh also saw thwarted attack attempts.

What sets this offensive apart is its geographic breadth, reaching areas like Kaluga, Lipetsk, Oryol, and Ryazan, all hundreds of kilometers from Ukraine. This expansion suggests a Ukrainian effort to destabilize Russian logistics and test Moscow’s multi-front response capacity. Russia, meanwhile, relies on a complex air defense network, including electronic systems and anti-aircraft batteries, but the sheer volume of drones revealed gaps in this shield.

The assault’s intensity also raises questions about Ukraine’s arsenal, which includes kamikaze drones and long-range models developed domestically. Kyiv’s silence on the operation’s specifics keeps its details shrouded, though analysts suggest the goal may be both military and psychological, bringing the war to Russia’s heartland.

Numbers and details of the offensive

Data from Russian authorities provide a clear picture of the attack’s scale. Here are the key figures:

  • 337 drones downed: Total intercepted across Russia overnight from March 10 to 11.
  • 91 drones in Moscow region: Number destroyed near the capital in multiple waves.
  • 126 drones in Kursk: Largest concentration outside Moscow, in a contested border area.
  • 2 dead, 18 injured: Confirmed casualties, all in Moscow and its surroundings.
  • 46 flights rerouted: Impact on the capital’s four airports during the suspension.

These figures highlight the attack’s calculated scope, designed to maximize disruption to both infrastructure and Russian morale. Ukraine’s ability to orchestrate such an operation, despite pressure in the east, signals a bolstered military capacity.

Diplomatic and military context

Hours before the attack, the international stage hinted at a potential thaw, with Zelensky and Rubio set to discuss a ceasefire in Saudi Arabia amid pressure from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for a swift resolution. However, Ukraine’s offensive may complicate these talks by heightening tensions with Russia at a sensitive juncture.

On the battlefield, Russia continues its push in Donetsk, capturing towns like Krasnogorivka and nearing Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian logistics hub. Ukraine’s Kursk incursion, launched in August 2024, aimed to ease eastern pressure but failed to halt Russian gains. The drone assault, in this light, emerges as Kyiv’s bid to shift the balance, bringing the fight directly to Russian soil.

Russia’s response, both militarily and rhetorically, suggests the conflict is far from a peaceful end. With Putin vowing retaliation and the Kremlin branding Ukraine’s actions as terrorism, the military escalation may pave the way for intensified clashes in the days ahead.

The early hours of Tuesday, March 11, witnessed one of the most intense episodes in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as the Russian capital, Moscow, became the target of a massive Ukrainian drone assault. Two people were killed and 18 injured amid explosions that reverberated across the city, damaging residential buildings and vehicles. The bombardment, which saw Russian air defenses shoot down 337 Ukrainian drones, sparked fires and temporarily halted flights at four Moscow airports, alongside disruptions to rail transport. Russia’s Ministry of Defense labeled the offensive as the largest against Moscow since the war began in February 2022, while the Kremlin accused Kyiv of deliberately targeting civilian areas. The attack unfolded just hours before a critical meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia, aimed at negotiating a ceasefire.

Explosions lit up Moscow’s sky starting at 4 a.m. local time, as reported by Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, in a Telegram post. He described the event as a “massive drone attack” that struck multiple locations, including the Ramenskoye district, roughly 50 km from the Kremlin. Footage shared by Russian media channels revealed apartments with shattered windows, perforated rooftops, and flames engulfing homes, underscoring the assault’s impact on one of Europe’s largest metropolitan areas, home to over 21 million people.

Russia’s response was swift, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stating that air defenses downed about 70 drones in multiple waves approaching the city. Beyond Moscow, regions like Kursk, Belgorod, and Ryazan also faced Ukrainian drone strikes, broadening the scope of the offensive. Ukraine has yet to issue an official statement on the operation, leaving the total number of launched drones and the specific goals of the assault unclear.

Civilian targets and infrastructure under fire

The attack’s toll was keenly felt in Moscow’s residential zones, where falling drone debris caused significant destruction. In Ramenskoye, at least seven apartments were hit, forcing residents to evacuate a multi-story building. Vorobyov reported that emergency teams were quickly deployed to extinguish fires and assist victims, including a 38-year-old guard and a 50-year-old man among the deceased. Another 18 people, including three children, were injured, according to local authorities, who released images of wrecked apartments and charred vehicles.

Transportation infrastructure also bore the brunt of the assault. The train station in the Domodedovo district, 35 km south of Moscow, sustained damage from debris, briefly halting rail services. The city’s four main airports—Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—suspended operations for hours, with 46 flights rerouted to other cities. Airports in Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod, east of Moscow, also closed temporarily as a safety measure, though operations resumed later that morning.

The scale of the attack stunned observers due to its audacity, as Moscow, located some 500 km from Ukraine’s border, has rarely faced direct strikes in the conflict. Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that of the 337 drones downed, 91 fell over the Moscow region, while 126 were intercepted in Kursk, an area partially controlled by Ukrainian forces since August 2024. Other affected regions included Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Lipetsk, Oryol, and Ryazan, highlighting the offensive’s extensive reach.

Military escalation at a pivotal moment

As the war enters its third year, Ukraine has ramped up efforts to bring the conflict onto Russian soil, using drones as a primary weapon to strike both strategic and civilian targets. Tuesday’s assault reflects a tactical shift, with Kyiv aiming to pressure Moscow in retaliation for Russian bombardments that have ravaged Ukrainian cities for over two years. The timing aligns with a precarious battlefield situation, where Russian forces are advancing in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk, while seeking to expel Ukrainian troops from Kursk.

Ukraine’s use of drones is not new, but the magnitude of this operation underscores Kyiv’s technological and logistical advancements. Models like the R18, capable of flying from Kyiv to Moscow and back, and the “Bober” drone, with a range of about 1,000 km, are believed to be part of Ukraine’s arsenal. These weapons, often developed by local experts since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, enable long-range strikes, challenging Russia’s air defenses, which include sophisticated systems protecting the capital.

Meanwhile, Russia maintains a stance of retaliation, with President Vladimir Putin labeling Ukrainian attacks as “terrorism” against civilians. The Kremlin vowed to respond, amplifying claims that Ukraine’s leadership poses a direct threat to national security. This exchange of accusations unfolds amid growing international involvement, with the United States and Western allies debating the extent to which Kyiv should be allowed to use supplied weapons to strike deep into Russian territory.

Damage and reactions in Moscow

The assault left visible scars on Moscow, a city that had largely remained insulated from the war’s hardships until now. Residential buildings in Vidnoye, within the Moscow region, appeared in images with shattered facades and burning apartments, while videos on Russian Telegram channels showed fireballs lighting up the night. Governor Vorobyov reported that 12 people, including three children, were evacuated from their homes, with rescue teams still working to extinguish fires and assess the damage.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin praised the effectiveness of air defenses, asserting that the “most massive enemy drone attack” was successfully repelled. Yet, the disruption to transportation and damage to residential areas rattled residents’ sense of security. Locals described waking to nearby explosions in a state of panic, a stark departure from the normalcy Moscow had maintained despite the distant conflict.

In border regions like Belgorod, the attacks also caused disruptions, with several areas losing power due to downed drones. The local governor said authorities were working to restore services, while in Ryazan, southeast of Moscow, minor damage was reported but no casualties so far.

Timeline of drone attacks on Russia

Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory have escalated over the years, marking a progression in the conflict. Below is a overview of key events:

  • May 2023: Eight drones are shot down over Moscow, one of the first significant attacks on the capital. Putin calls it an attempt to intimidate Russia.
  • August 2023: Drones hit Moscow’s financial district, including Economy Ministry buildings, showcasing Ukraine’s ability to target strategic sites.
  • September 2024: An attack with 20 drones in Ramenskoye, Moscow region, kills one woman and damages apartments, the largest at that point.
  • November 2024: Moscow faces 32 drones, surpassing the prior record, with airport disruptions and one injury.
  • March 2025: The assault with 337 drones, including 91 in the Moscow region, becomes the war’s most extensive, with two deaths and widespread damage.

This timeline illustrates the growing frequency and scale of Ukraine’s drone operations, evolving from isolated strikes to large-scale offensives that test Russia’s defensive capabilities.

Impacts beyond the capital

Beyond Moscow, the attack rippled across other Russian regions, exposing vulnerabilities far from the front lines. In Kursk, where 126 drones were downed, the presence of Ukrainian forces in parts of the region since August 2024 makes it a frequent target. Drone debris damaged local infrastructure, though no casualties have been reported. In Belgorod, near Ukraine’s border, power outages affected thousands, while Bryansk and Voronezh also saw thwarted attack attempts.

What sets this offensive apart is its geographic breadth, reaching areas like Kaluga, Lipetsk, Oryol, and Ryazan, all hundreds of kilometers from Ukraine. This expansion suggests a Ukrainian effort to destabilize Russian logistics and test Moscow’s multi-front response capacity. Russia, meanwhile, relies on a complex air defense network, including electronic systems and anti-aircraft batteries, but the sheer volume of drones revealed gaps in this shield.

The assault’s intensity also raises questions about Ukraine’s arsenal, which includes kamikaze drones and long-range models developed domestically. Kyiv’s silence on the operation’s specifics keeps its details shrouded, though analysts suggest the goal may be both military and psychological, bringing the war to Russia’s heartland.

Numbers and details of the offensive

Data from Russian authorities provide a clear picture of the attack’s scale. Here are the key figures:

  • 337 drones downed: Total intercepted across Russia overnight from March 10 to 11.
  • 91 drones in Moscow region: Number destroyed near the capital in multiple waves.
  • 126 drones in Kursk: Largest concentration outside Moscow, in a contested border area.
  • 2 dead, 18 injured: Confirmed casualties, all in Moscow and its surroundings.
  • 46 flights rerouted: Impact on the capital’s four airports during the suspension.

These figures highlight the attack’s calculated scope, designed to maximize disruption to both infrastructure and Russian morale. Ukraine’s ability to orchestrate such an operation, despite pressure in the east, signals a bolstered military capacity.

Diplomatic and military context

Hours before the attack, the international stage hinted at a potential thaw, with Zelensky and Rubio set to discuss a ceasefire in Saudi Arabia amid pressure from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for a swift resolution. However, Ukraine’s offensive may complicate these talks by heightening tensions with Russia at a sensitive juncture.

On the battlefield, Russia continues its push in Donetsk, capturing towns like Krasnogorivka and nearing Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian logistics hub. Ukraine’s Kursk incursion, launched in August 2024, aimed to ease eastern pressure but failed to halt Russian gains. The drone assault, in this light, emerges as Kyiv’s bid to shift the balance, bringing the fight directly to Russian soil.

Russia’s response, both militarily and rhetorically, suggests the conflict is far from a peaceful end. With Putin vowing retaliation and the Kremlin branding Ukraine’s actions as terrorism, the military escalation may pave the way for intensified clashes in the days ahead.

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