Moscow Faces Unprecedented Ukrainian Drone Barrage in Russia’s Largest Attack Yet

Moscow and its surrounding region faced the largest drone attack since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, with dozens of explosive drones striking the capital overnight, reported the Moscow mayor Sergei Sobianin on March 11.

Powerful explosions rocked multiple districts, igniting fires and damaging residential buildings.

Air raid defenses, including Pantsir-S1 missile systems and electronic warfare units, were activated to counter the attack. However, many drones penetrated Russian airspace, with debris causing significant damage in urban areas.

The attack, which began after 3 a.m. local time, led to temporary flight suspensions at Moscow’s Zhukovsky and Domodedovo airports. Eyewitnesses reported hearing dozens of explosions as drones hit multiple targets.

Residential buildings suffered damage as Russian air defenses shot down drones over populated areas. In Vidnoye and Domodedovo, debris struck apartment complexes, with at least seven upper-floor apartments damaged in Ramenskoye. A drone also crashed into the top floors of a residential high-rise on Domodedovskaya Street in Moscow, shattering windows and causing a fire.

Vorobyov confirmed one person was killed and three others injured in the Moscow region, while additional drone wreckage was found in Chornogolovka. There were also reports of damage to railway tracks near Domodedovo station and a fire at a local industrial site. Train services were temporarily suspended but later resumed.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that overnight, 337 drones were intercepted across multiple regions, including 91 over Moscow and the surrounding area, 126 over Kursk, 38 over Bryansk, and dozens more across Belgorod, Ryazan, Voronezh, and other regions. However, significant damage on the ground suggests that many drones evaded Russian air defenses.

Earlier, drones targeted the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region.

Russian Telegram channel Astra initially reported loud explosions in the region, citing local residents. According to preliminary information, drones attacked the Novokuybyshevsk refinery, which is part of the state-owned Rosneft group.