According to the reports on Friday (18 July), Russian air defences reportedly destroyed 73 Ukrainian drones overnight, with three of them heading toward Moscow, according to Russia’s defence ministry. The majority of the drones were intercepted over southwestern regions, particularly the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine and saw 31 drones shot down. These drone attacks are part of escalating cross-border operations in the ongoing conflict.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that drone fragments had fallen in some areas around the capital, but he did not report any casualties or damage. Emergency services were deployed to examine the affected zones. The incident highlights the increasing frequency of drone-related threats deep inside Russian territory.
In response to the drone activity, Russia’s federal aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, temporarily suspended operations at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports near Moscow. A third airport, Vnukovo, also experienced a shutdown after midnight but resumed service by morning. These disruptions show how drone threats are now impacting Russia’s civilian infrastructure, including air travel.
Ukraine has not issued an immediate statement regarding the drone strikes. However, Kyiv has previously justified such actions, stating they are essential to dismantling infrastructure critical to Russia’s war efforts. As the war enters its fourth year, the use of drones by Ukraine continues to be a strategic element in targeting Russian positions and logistics.
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Russia claims it downed 73 Ukrainian drones near Moscow as airports briefly shut
