Ukraine Conducts Large-Scale Drone Strike on Moscow Amid Peace Talks

Moscow experienced its largest drone attack since the start of the war, according to Russian officials, as both Ukraine and Russia intensified strikes ahead of diplomatic negotiations.

The assault came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a limited air truce, offering to halt long-range strikes into Russia if Moscow agreed to do the same.

Russian authorities reported that Ukraine launched a massive drone barrage before dawn on Tuesday, targeting Moscow and other regions across the country. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described it as the most significant attack on the capital since the conflict began three years ago.

• Casualties and Disruptions: At least three people were killed, and 18 others were injured, according to Russian officials. The attack also caused temporary closures at Moscow’s four international airports, impacting travel in the city’s metropolitan area of 21 million people.
• Russian Response: The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that its air defenses intercepted 91 drones near Moscow and over 240 across Russia. President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the attack, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov acknowledged the continued threat, stating that defenses must remain on high alert.
• Ukrainian Stance: Ukrainian officials have not commented on the strike. However, Kyiv has previously stated that it aims to strengthen its long-range strike capabilities, with plans to produce thousands of drones and missiles this year.

The drone assault occurred just hours before high-level delegations from Ukraine and the United States met in Saudi Arabia to explore ways to end the war. Ukraine’s air truce proposal, backed by European countries like France, suggests an initial step toward broader negotiations.

• The plan calls for both Ukraine and Russia to halt long-range airstrikes, building trust ahead of potential peace talks.
• Ukraine is also expected to propose a ceasefire in the Black Sea region as part of these discussions.
• Russian officials have not committed to the air truce proposal, with Peskov stating that it is “impossible to talk about positions now.”

Both Ukraine and Russia have escalated attacks in recent weeks. Russia has consistently launched drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, including Kyiv, targeting both civilian and military infrastructure.

• Recent Russian Strikes: Overnight attacks on Ukraine included 126 drones and a ballistic missile, with explosions reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. At least one person was killed, and 17 were injured.
• Frontline Developments: Russian forces, reportedly aided by North Korean troops, have reclaimed sections of the Kursk region, which had been under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian military leaders deny that their troops are at risk of encirclement and have deployed reinforcements.

 Talks in Saudi Arabia may reveal whether either side is willing to make concessions or if the conflict will continue escalating. Russia has yet to indicate whether it will consider Ukraine’s ceasefire proposals, and the ongoing military actions on both sides highlight the challenges of reaching a negotiated settlement.

With input from the New York Times, Independent, and BBC.