Ukrainian Drones Strike Moscow in Renewed Assault

Ukrainian forces launched another drone attack on areas around Moscow Friday night, marking the second such assault in just one week. The strikes caused widespread power outages and reportedly hit critical infrastructure, including an oil pipeline, though Russian officials haven't confirmed all damage claims.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin posted frequent updates on Telegram throughout Friday night, saying individual drones were shot down around the capital. The attacks targeted several areas, with Zhukovsky, southeast of Moscow, experiencing major power outages that city officials blamed on automatic system shutdowns.

Ukrainian military intelligence claimed their drones successfully struck an important oil pipeline around Moscow. Russian authorities haven't verified this claim, but the Russia Defense Ministry said it intercepted 98 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory during the night.

The neighboring Ramensky district also came under attack during the same operation. These strikes represent a significant escalation in Ukraine's ability to project force deep into Russian territory, reaching areas that were previously considered safe from direct military action.

For energy markets, attacks on Russian oil infrastructure could affect regional supply chains, though the full extent of any damage remains unclear. The frequency of these operations - two major drone attacks in seven days - suggests Ukraine has developed sustained capabilities to strike targets hundreds of kilometers from the front lines.

The power outages in Zhukovsky highlight how these attacks can disrupt civilian infrastructure even when military defenses successfully intercept most incoming drones. Russian officials continue to frame these incidents as defensive victories, emphasizing the number of drones shot down rather than any potential damage from those that got through.