Massive Drone Attack In 6 Russian Regions, Planes Damaged As Airport Hit In Pskov: Report

In what appears to be the biggest drone attack on Russian soil since its invasion of Ukraine, Moscow's Defence Ministry said six of its regions have been hit in a drone attack. An airport was hit in the Pskov region which started a massive fire, damaging four Il-78 transport aircraft and leading to the cancellation of all flights, reports stated. Pskov is more than 600km away from Ukraine, close to the border with Estonia.

Pskov regional Governor Mikhail Vedernikov cancelled all flights to and from the airport after the attack to assess the damage during daylight.

Russia claimed that the Ukrainian drones were shot down over Moscow, Oryol, Bryansk, Ryazan and Kaluga.

Even as visuals on social media showed plumes of smoke over the city of Pskov and a massive fire, Vedernikov said there were no casualties, and that the fire had been brought under control.

Commenting on the development, Former Nato official Edward Hunter-Christie has tweeted, "It is a long night. But to think that the air war is now genuinely mutual, and on the Ukrainian side based solely on Ukrainian-made systems, is extraordinary. Russia has lost the initiative and the ability to shape events in every domain. Ukraine is gaining both, in all domains."

Russian news agency Tass reported that a drone was “destroyed” in the Ruzsky district of the Moscow region, citing city mayor Sergei Sobyanin. 

“Tonight, an attempt was made to mass attack drones in the Central Federal District. One of the UAVs heading for Moscow was destroyed by air defence forces in the Ruzsky district. There were no preliminary casualties and no damage,” Sobyanin wrote in his Telegram channel.

The attack occurred at around 2.30 Moscow time, Russia’s defence forces said on Telegram.