Ukrainian drones target defence industry in Moscow and Moscow region

Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow, the Moscow region, and regions of western Russia overnight, causing damage but no casualties, according to local reports.

Governor Andrey Vorobyov said on Wednesday that 42 drones had been destroyed overnight over the Moscow region. Three private houses were damaged near the town of Chekhov, to the south of Moscow, though nobody was injured, he added.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said air defences had shot down 33 drones targeting the capital overnight. He added that Zelenograd, a Moscow exclave located within the Moscow region, was particularly badly affected but there were no serious injuries there.

One attack targeted the Elma technology park in Zelenograd, Telegram channelAstra reported. Several companies at the park have ties to the defence industry, according to independent media outlet Mediazona. RBC-Ukraine and other Ukrainian sources said companies based at Elma have ties to drone production, though this is unconfirmed.

The Kronstadt factory in Dubna, north of Moscow, which produces Orion drones, was also struck, according to Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsia imposed temporary restrictions on Moscow’s airports due to the drone activity, though they have since returned to standard operation. Airports in the cities of Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kaluga and Yaroslavl also suspended flights, while airlines said they had adjusted their flight schedules.

The Russian Defence Ministry said 296 Ukrainian drones had been shot down overnight.