Moscow claims Ukraine launched 'massive' 144-drone attack on Russia, casualties reported

Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on several Russia's regions overnight on Sept. 10, including Bryansk, Moscow, Tula, Kaluga, Belgorod, Kursk, Oryol, Voronezh, as well as the Krasnodar Krai region.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 144 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight, potentially ranking it among the largest strikes throughout the war. The highest number of drones – 72 – was reportedly downed over Bryansk Oblast, followed by Moscow Oblast (20) and Kursk Oblast (14).

Moscow Oblast Governor Andrey Vorobyov said a 46-year-old woman was killed, and three other civilians were injured in the drone attack in the town of Ramenskoye. The town is located 46 kilometers southeast of Moscow.

The Kyiv Independent cannot verify the claim, and Ukraine has not yet commented on the alleged attack.

Videos of purported explosions heard over Bryansk Oblast were posted on social media by local residents around 12:30 a.m. local time.

Later in the night, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin also claimed that over a dozen drones had been shot down over Moscow Oblast en route to the capital.

Sobyanin reported that emergency services are responding to a fire on the 11th and 12th floors of a residential building in Ramenskoye. Downed debris was also found near Zhukovsky International Airport, some 36 kilometers (22 miles) southeast of central Moscow.

Over 30 international and domestic flights, initially scheduled for departure between 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. local time, were delayed at Vnukovo Airport because of the attack. Moscow Oblast's Domodedovo airport was shut down in the early hours of Sept. 10.

In Tula Oblast, two drones were reportedly downed, with debris falling on an energy facility. There were no injuries or supply disruptions, according to Russian state media reports.

In recent months, Ukrainian forces have increased attacks against targets within Russian territory, aiming to damage Russia's oil industry and military production facilities.

Overnight on Sept. 1, dozens of drones reportedly targeted several Russian regions, with Russia's Defense Ministry claiming to have downed 158 drones.

Russia preparing new mass attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, PM Shmyhal says

“But we understand that the enemy will not give us the luxury of living in peace,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. “We already have intelligence that the next mass missile and drone strikes on our power system are already being prepared.”

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova