Russian Military Intercepts Record 1.2K Ukrainian Drones Overnight

Oct. 29, 2026 A shop in the Kursk region damaged from a Ukrainian drone attack on Oct. 29, 2026. @kurpepel / Telegram Russian air defense systems intercepted a record 1,214 Ukrainian drones across the country amid an overnight air barrage, the Defense Ministry said Thursday, as negotiators from the two warring countries prepare for a new round of U.S.-mediated peace talks next month. The total surpasses the previous record set on Sept. 20, when the military said that more than 1,100 Ukrainian drones were downed in Russia and annexed Crimea during the final day of parliamentary and regional elections. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Thursday that 613 drones were launched toward the Moscow region overnight, with around a third of them being destroyed on their approach to the Russian capital. The Kremlin condemned the attack on Moscow, which is currently hosting more than 22 foreign leaders at the Russia-Africa summit. In the industrial city of Sterlitamak, located in the republic of Bashkortostan, Mayor Emil Shaimardanov said falling drone debris caused minor damage at an industrial site. The exiled outlet Astra said it used eyewitness footage of smoke rising above an industrial area in Sterlitamak to identify the targeted site as the Bashkir Soda Company, located 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) east of Russia’s border with Ukraine. It was previously attacked on Aug. 27. The company is Russia’s only producer of terephthaloyl chloride, a critical chemical used to make high-strength aramid fibers found in body armor, helmets and protective military vehicle materials. In the Perm region, Governor Dmitry Makhonin said a Ukrainian drone attack caused slight damage to an industrial facility, which he did not identify by name. One person was killed and seven were injured in the southwestern Belgorod region, according to local officials. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said overnight Russian attacks in the Rivne region killed one person. AFP and Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: Ukraine war , Drones Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Ukrainian Drone Strikes Slash Russia’s Fuel Exports to Lowest Level Since Early 2022 – Bloomberg The ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure have reduced fuel exports to their lowest levels since the invasion of Ukraine... 2 Min read Ukrainian Drone Attack Sparks Fires at Energy Sites in Volgograd Region The Lukoil-Korobkovsky gas processing plant, which processes roughly 450 million cubic meters of gas per year, was reportedly hit in the strikes. 1 Min read Ukrainian Drone Attack in Occupied Kherson Kills 4, Kremlin-Backed Governor Says Meanwhile, authorities in areas of Kherson still under Ukrainian control accused the Russian military of killing a man. 1 Min read Ukraine Mounts Second Straight Night of Mass Drone Strikes on Russia Authorities in the Nizhny Novgorod region said 30 Ukrainian drones were downed over an “industrial zone” in the town of Dzerzhinsk. 2 Min read