**Moscow Targeted in Large-Scale Ukrainian Drone Attack**
Moscow experienced a significant drone assault overnight, as confirmed by Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. The attack, attributed to Ukrainian forces, involved a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with Russian air defenses reportedly intercepting and destroying at least 180 of them.
According to Sobyanin, the city's air defense systems were largely effective in thwarting the assault, continuing their operations into Thursday morning. The mayor noted that some drones managed to penetrate defenses, reaching the Moscow Oil Refinery located in the Kapotnya district, prompting the deployment of firefighters to the area.
In addition to the refinery, debris from a downed drone caused minor damage to a building at the Sadovod shopping center in southeastern Moscow. Fortunately, Sobyanin reported that there were no injuries resulting from this incident.
The Russian Defense Ministry provided further context, stating that over 550 Ukrainian UAVs had been intercepted across the country since the previous evening, indicating a broader pattern of drone activity targeting various regions.
This incident marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with drone warfare becoming an increasingly prominent feature of military engagements. The attacks on Moscow underscore the evolving tactics employed by Ukrainian forces, as they seek to challenge Russian defenses and infrastructure.
As the situation develops, authorities in Moscow and across Russia remain on high alert, monitoring for further drone activity and reinforcing air defense measures to protect critical infrastructure and civilian areas.