Moscow Mayor Reports 613 Drones Targeted Capital

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 613 drones flew toward the capital region between the evening of October 28 and the morning of October 29. The attack required a large defensive response across the city and surrounding areas.

Sobyanin stated that 231 of the drones were destroyed as they approached Moscow. He noted that most of the threats were neutralized before they reached the city center. Emergency services worked at sites where drone debris fell. Russian authorities did not provide detailed information on specific damage or consequences.

The drone activity caused temporary restrictions at three major airports. Rosaviatsia, the federal air transport agency, limited arrivals and departures at Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky. Zhukovsky lifted its restrictions after one hour. Vnukovo and Domodedovo continued operating under a system that required specific approvals for aircraft acceptance.

Two commercial aircraft traveling from Turkey to Moscow were diverted during the height of the attack. The disruptions at Vnukovo forced airlines to adjust flight paths and schedules. The operational constraints impacted regional air traffic management.

An air-raid warning was issued for Moscow Oblast at approximately 22:00 local time. Astra, a local media outlet, reported three distinct explosions near Naro-Fominsk. The town is located 56 kilometers from Moscow's main ring road. Witnesses heard the blasts without hearing audible drone noise in the area.

Sobyanin provided updates throughout the night regarding the number of intercepted drones. He initially reported that 57 drones had been shot down. By 02:15, the total reached 64. After 04:00, he announced the downing of 15 more drones. By 05:00, officials confirmed that 109 drones had been intercepted since the start of the day.

Further explosions were reported in the direction of Kaluga Oblast. These blasts occurred in rapid succession. Sobyanin said another 49 drones were destroyed before the 02:15 update. The incident follows a period of heightened tension. Moscow authorities had complained about drone attacks on two consecutive nights earlier in the month.