Ukrainian Drones Target Moscow and Other Russian Regions in Overnight Attacks

Widespread Drone Activity Reported Across Russia

A series of Ukrainian drone attacks targeted the Russian Federation overnight on December 14-15, 2025, with Russian defense systems reportedly intercepting a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across multiple regions. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a total of 130 drones were shot down nationwide during the night.

Specifically, over Moscow Oblast, Russian air defenses reportedly neutralized 25 drones, with 15 of these said to be on a trajectory towards the capital city. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin initially reported that at least 18 drones were shot down en route to Moscow, later updating the figure to 20, and then 15. Explosions were heard in various districts of Moscow Oblast, including Istrinsky, Kashira, and Kolomna.

Impact on Moscow and Other Regions

Despite the reported drone activity, Russian officials, including Mayor Sobyanin, stated that there were no casualties or significant damage in Moscow. However, the attacks did lead to temporary disruptions in air travel. Moscow's Zhukovsky and Domodedovo airports imposed temporary flight restrictions, which were subsequently lifted.

Beyond Moscow, other Russian regions also experienced impacts from the drone strikes. In the Rostov region, a power line was damaged, and reports indicated that two cars caught fire in Rostov-on-Don, with several house roofs sustaining damage. Additionally, a thermal power plant in Belgorod was reportedly hit.

Broader Context of Ukrainian Drone Operations

These overnight attacks are part of an ongoing pattern of Ukrainian drone operations targeting military and industrial infrastructure deep within Russia and Russian-occupied territories. Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) were reported to have conducted coordinated drone strikes on December 14-15, aiming at Russian military and energy assets across areas such as Crimea, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia, in addition to targets near Moscow. These targets included fuel trains, electronic warfare stations, air defense systems, and radar units.

In the days leading up to this event, Ukrainian drones also struck Russian oil production platforms in the Caspian Sea for the third time within a week. Earlier in the week, on December 13, Ukrainian forces targeted the Afipsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai, the Uryupinsk oil depot in Volgograd Oblast, and two fuel depots in Crimea. Less than a week prior, on December 10, Moscow was reportedly attacked by over 30 drones. The Kyiv Independent noted that it could not independently verify all Russian reports regarding the drone attacks.