Ukraine launches ‘one of largest ever’ drone attacks on Moscow

21 August 2024, 11:53 | Updated: 21 August 2024, 11:54

Ukrainian troops fire a" Giatsint-S" 152mm self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar town, in Donetsk region
Ukrainian troops fire a" Giatsint-S" 152mm self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar town, in Donetsk region. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Ukraine has launched one of the largest ever drone attacks on Moscow.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Some 45 Ukrainian drones were destroyed overnight, Russia's Ministry of Defence said.

It said 11 were destroyed over the Moscow region, 23 over the Bryansk region, six over Belgorod, three over Kaluga and two over Kursk.

"This was one of the biggest attempts of all time to attack Moscow using drones," Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on his Telegram channel.

He said all of the drones were destroyed because strong defences have been created around the capital.

Read more: Ukraine ‘hits third Russian bridge’ as assault on Kursk region continues

Read more: Zelenskyy says UK leadership on Ukraine aid 'has 'slowed', as he calls for long-range missile capabilities

Ukraine launches drone attacks on Russian territory, including Moscow region: Russian officials
Ukraine launches drone attacks on Russian territory, including Moscow region: Russian officials. Picture: Getty

Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region, said there was a "mass" attack on his region but that 23 drones were destroyed.

It comes as Ukrainian forces are continuing to push into Russia's western Kursk region.

They appear to be striking Russian pontoon bridges and pontoon engineering equipment over the Seim River.

But the gains there come as Ukraine continues to lose ground in its eastern industrial region of Donbas.

Kyiv said its forces had destroyed 50 out of 69 Russian attack drones launched during an overnight strike.

A further 16 are said to have been downed by electronic warfare during the attack.

One drone entered Ukraine from Belarus and another had returned to Russia, Kyiv said.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Renée Zellweger

Mad about the Box Office: Latest Bridget Jones installment smashes rom com record

Exclusive
David Gauke wants to reduce the size of the female prison estate to make room for more male inmates. File image shows Pentonville prison

Send fewer women to jail to make room for male inmates, says former Justice Secretary

x

Starmer will ensure UK is 'leading country' as European nations step up in support of Ukraine

Gunner Beck

Women in Army subjected to 'disgusting' comments from male colleagues amid misogynistic culture, inquest hears

The aircraft can be seen upside down, with its wheels in the air, and the area thick with snow

Passenger jet 'flips over' during landing in Toronto leaving 15 injured - with three critical

Paula Miluska had started working from home in November 2022 due to her pregnancy illness

Woman awarded £93k payout after boss fires her for morning sickness by sending jazz hands emoji

c

Britain must take a ‘leading responsibility’ for peace in Ukraine, says PM as he calls for US ‘security guarantee’

Andrew Tate is facing allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering

Trump team 'pressuring Romania to lift restrictions on Andrew Tate'

Skyrora, a rocket company with its headquarters in Edinburgh

Scottish company promises to blast rockets into space from 2026

A petition calling for major driving licence changes has received almost 100,000 signatures

Petition calls for ban on newly-qualified drivers carrying passengers under 25

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by George, Charlotte and Louis - but who drew who?

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner

Julia Wandelt who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann releases bombshell new DNA test results

Pope Francis will need to remain in hospital with a respiratory tract infection

Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'