Headlines
Russia says Ukraine launched major drone attack on Moscow
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 16, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 16, 2026
Quick Summary
On March 16, 2026, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed at least 38 Ukrainian drones en route to the capital, averting what Moscow described as a major attack on the city.
Russia says it foils biggest Ukrainian drone attack in a year
Details of the Drone Attack and Response
Scale and Nature of the Attack
MOSCOW, March 16 (Reuters) - Russia said on Monday that it shot down 250 Ukrainian drones heading towards Moscow over the weekend, in what officials said was the biggest attempted attack on the Russian capital in at least a year.
Official Statements and Defense Measures
"Over the past two days, air defense forces have destroyed about 250 enemy UAVs directly on the approach to Moscow and on the second line towards Moscow," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.
The Role of Drones in Modern Warfare
The war in Ukraine and now the Iran war have showcased the effectiveness of relatively cheap drones that can attack far-off targets ranging from oil infrastructure to major population centres at a fraction of the cost of a fighter jet.
Russian and Ukrainian Strategies
Russia has pummeled Ukraine with artillery and drones while Ukraine has struck deep inside Russia with sabotage groups and drones, killing Russian generals and attacking oil refineries and oil pipelines.
Impact on Civilian Infrastructure
Moscow's main airports imposed flight restrictions amid the weekend attack, Russia's aviation watchdog said, though they were later lifted.
Aftermath and Reactions
There were no reported casualties. Sobyanin thanked the Russian armed forces for their work.
Reuters reporters said they heard loud bangs across Moscow and the Moscow region over the weekend.
Population and Official Responses
Moscow - along with the surrounding Moscow region - has a population of about 22 million. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; Editing and Aidan Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Moscow air defenses successfully neutralized minimum 38 drones targeting the city, according to Mayor Sobyanin. (apnews.com)
- •Russia has reported a surge in drone incursions into Moscow throughout early 2026, marking an escalation in Kyiv’s long‑range drone campaign. (theguardian.com)
- •Previous drone strikes on Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries and energy logistics, have had significant economic impact, intensifying fuel shortages and increasing operational costs for Russia. (forbes.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia says Ukraine launched major drone attack on Moscow
1How many drones were reportedly destroyed en route to Moscow?
At least 38 drones were destroyed on their way to the Russian capital, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
2Who reported the drone attack on Moscow?
The drone attack was reported by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and quoted by Interfax.
3What is the source of the news about the drone attack?
The news about the drone attack was reported by Reuters and edited by Guy Faulconbridge.
