**Title: Ukraine Launches Drone Offensive Against Moscow Amid NATO Summit**
Ukrainian forces executed a significant drone attack on Moscow overnight, deploying over 430 kamikaze drones, as confirmed by Mayor Sergey Sobyanin on Tuesday. This operation coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Ankara, Türkiye, where NATO leaders are convening for a summit.
Sobyanin reported that the majority of the drones were intercepted before reaching the Russian capital, with only 36 drones reportedly shot down in proximity to Moscow. The Russian Defense Ministry further stated that a total of 452 Ukrainian drones were intercepted within a 12-hour timeframe during the incident.
This drone assault follows a declaration made by Zelensky on June 25, in which he announced a 40-day campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Russia through long-range strikes and covert operations. The Ukrainian military has been targeting Russian energy infrastructure and commercial vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil, aiming to inflict significant economic damage.
In response to the drone attacks, Russian officials have characterized these actions as desperate measures by Ukraine, particularly as Ukrainian forces face challenges along the front lines. Additionally, Russian authorities have accused Ukraine of conducting terrorist attacks against civilians, citing a nighttime drone strike on a vocational college dormitory in Starobelsk in May as a pivotal incident that warranted Russia's escalation in military response.
President Vladimir Putin has indicated that such attacks justify more extensive long-range strikes on Ukrainian military targets. Following the drone barrage, Russia launched a retaliatory strike targeting drone-related facilities in Ukraine's capital.
The ongoing NATO summit in Ankara presents an opportunity for Zelensky and European allies to engage with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, there are concerns regarding Trump's demeanor at the summit, with reports suggesting he may express dissatisfaction over NATO members' reluctance to support the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and their failure to increase defense spending.
Notably, Zelensky is expected to avoid participating in the main summit events, as organizers are wary that his presence could provoke Trump, potentially complicating diplomatic discussions.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of the drone attack and the NATO summit will likely shape the ongoing conflict and international relations surrounding the war in Ukraine.