Ukraine targets Moscow in 'one of largest ever' drone attacks on Russia

The aftermath of an alleged Ukrainian drone strike in the town of Ramenskoye just outside Moscow (AP)
The aftermath of an alleged Ukrainian drone strike in the town of Ramenskoye just outside Moscow (AP)

More than 140 Ukrainian drones targeted multiple Russian regions overnight, including Moscow, in one of the biggest attacks of its kind since the start of the war.

In the town of Ramenskoye, just outside Moscow, drones hit two multi-storey residential buildings and started fires, Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov said.

A woman was killed and three other people were injured, Russian officials claimed.

Five residential buildings near one of those damaged were evacuated as emergency services handled drone debris, Mr Vorobyov alleged.

Ukraine has yet to comment on the claims.

The attack also prompted the Russian authorities to temporarily shut down three airports just outside Moscow - Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky.

A total of 48 flights were diverted to other airports, according to Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia.

An apartment balcony on fire in Moscow (via REUTERS)
An apartment balcony on fire in Moscow (via REUTERS)

In Moscow, drone debris fell on a private house on the outskirts of the city, but no-one was hurt, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

He claimed more than a dozen drones heading towards Moscow which were shot down by air defences as they were approaching the city.

Russia's Defence Ministry said it "intercepted and destroyed" 144 Ukrainian drones over nine Russian regions, including those on the border with Ukraine and those deeper inside Russia.

It is the second massive Ukrainian drone attack on Russia this month.

On September 1, the Russian military said it intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones over a dozen Russian regions in what Russian media described as the biggest Ukrainian drone barrage since the start of the war.

The rubble damage following the drone attack (AFP via Getty Images)
The rubble damage following the drone attack (AFP via Getty Images)

It came as Putin’s forces attacked energy infrastructure in eight Ukrainian regions since Monday.

The Ukrainian energy ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app that the attacks had disrupted high-voltage lines and power substations in several regions.

Separately on Tuesday, Kyiv’s air force said it shot down 38 out of 46 Russia-launched drones during an overnight attack in a statement via the Telegram messaging app.

The air force said Russia also used two missiles in its attack.