Ukraine Sends Record 600 Drones Toward Moscow Region in Single Day

Ukraine sent 600 drones toward the Moscow region over a 24-hour period, the largest number recorded heading toward the Russian capital since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

According to Militarnyi on August 16, the figure was compiled from statements published by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin throughout the latest Ukrainian long-range attack. These figures could not be independently verified.

The strikes hit several facilities in the Moscow region, including Wildberries warehouses in Koledino and the Severne Domodedovo logistics complex. Fires were reported at the targeted sites following the attacks.

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War in Ukraine

Russia Says Ukraine Launched Nearly 1,900 Drones at Moscow Region in Just One Week

Jul 18, 2026 18:06

The latest operation comes amid a broader increase in the scale of Ukrainian long-range strikes against targets inside Russia.

Russian authorities reported 6,225 drones heading toward Moscow and the surrounding region throughout July. During the first 16 days of August, at least 4,327 drones were recorded heading toward the same area, according to figures cited by Militarnyi.

Based on those figures, the average daily number of drones involved increased from about 201 in July to roughly 290 during the first half of August—a rise of approximately 44%.

The increase has also been reflected in the number of confirmed strikes on Russian facilities.

OSINT analysts from Oko Hora recorded 65 confirmed strikes involving Ukrainian long-range drones and missiles in July, 55% more than in June. The targets included 17 oil refineries, 16 logistics facilities, 10 oil depots, nine ports, four defense-industrial facilities, three vessels, and two airfields.

The tally did not include attacks against vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov or strikes in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

During the first 15 days of August, OSINT project Exilenova+ documented at least 43 facilities hit by Ukrainian long-range drones and missiles. Twenty-two were logistics infrastructure sites, while other targets included oil refineries and military airfields.

The figures indicate that the average daily rate of confirmed strikes during the first half of August was approximately 37% higher than in July.

Ukraine first surpassed Russia in the number of long-range drones launched against the opposing side in March 2026 and has consistently maintained the lead since May, according to data cited by Militarnyi. Russia, meanwhile, has increasingly deployed jet-powered attack drones, which present additional challenges for interceptor drones because of their higher speeds.

Ukraine has also expanded the use of long-range missiles alongside its drone campaign. On August 15, Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missiles struck the Progress Rocket Space Centre in Samara, a major Russian facility producing Soyuz-2 launch vehicles.

The Soyuz-2 family is used for Russian military and civilian space launches, including deployment of satellites for the Rassvet low-Earth-orbit communications network, which Moscow is developing as a domestic alternative to Starlink.

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