Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed on Thursday that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 1,214 Ukrainian drones overnight, in what would be the largest drone attack reported by Moscow since the war began.
According to the ministry, the drones targeted 20 Russian regions, surpassing the previous reported record of 1,110 drones on September 20.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said 613 drones had targeted the capital region, with most intercepted before reaching the city. He added that 231 drones were destroyed on their approach to Moscow.
The reported attacks caused widespread disruption to air travel, prompting Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, to temporarily suspend arrivals and departures at Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports.
The restrictions were subsequently lifted, although two flights travelling from Istanbul to Moscow reportedly turned back mid-air and returned to Istanbul.
Similar temporary restrictions were imposed at airports in 18 other Russian cities.
Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the Russian claims, and the reported number of drones could not be independently verified.