**Kiev Launches Major Drone Wave on Moscow Ahead of Trump-Zelensky Meeting**
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Ukraine has launched a large-scale drone attack on Moscow, with over 390 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting the Russian capital overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that while there were no casualties from the strikes, some residential buildings sustained damage.
In a statement shared on his Telegram channel, Sobyanin indicated that the majority of the drones were intercepted before reaching the city, with 81 drones reportedly destroyed in the vicinity of Moscow. The attack has raised concerns among regional authorities, who are assessing the extent of the damage caused by the drone strikes.
Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov confirmed that a residential building in Chekhov, located approximately 50 kilometers south of Moscow, was directly hit. Emergency services have been dispatched to the site to manage the aftermath, although local officials have reported no injuries or fatalities in connection with this incident. Vorobyov also noted that debris from downed drones had ignited fires in other areas, including a fire involving burning tires at an open site and another blaze in the nearby village of Vaulovo.
In a related incident, a Ukrainian drone reportedly struck a civilian bus in the Belgorod Region, resulting in injuries to 19 individuals, as stated by local governor Alexandr Shuvayev. This incident underscores the ongoing risks to civilian life amid the conflict.
Russian Foreign Ministry envoy-at-large Rodion Miroshnik, tasked with monitoring alleged war crimes by Kiev, asserted that Ukrainian strikes have resulted in the deaths of 57 civilians, including seven children, over the past week. He emphasized that drone strikes accounted for a staggering 91% of the casualties reported.
The drone attacks on Moscow coincide with Ukraine's ongoing military operations against Russian infrastructure. Recently, Ukraine has targeted warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, which Ukraine claims are involved in supplying components for drone production and military equipment. Moscow, however, has denied any military connection to the retailer.
In retaliation for Ukraine's drone strikes, Russia has intensified its own military operations, targeting Ukraine's defense-related industries, including facilities involved in drone production.
This latest wave of drone strikes comes just hours before a scheduled meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The timing of the attacks raises questions about the potential impact on diplomatic discussions, particularly as the two leaders are set to meet during a memorial service for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent advocate for U.S. support for Ukraine.
Reports have surfaced indicating that Washington and Kiev have been exploring the possibility of proposing an air ceasefire to Moscow as part of renewed efforts to revive stalled peace talks. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has expressed skepticism regarding the authenticity of these discussions, stating that Moscow has not received any concrete proposals.
In an interview conducted in late June, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that while Ukrainian strikes do cause damage, he characterized it as non-critical and easily repairable. This perspective reflects the ongoing complexities of the conflict and the challenges facing both sides as they navigate military operations and diplomatic efforts.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful of the developments in Ukraine and Russia, particularly in light of the potential implications for regional stability and global security.