MOSCOW, RUSSIA | August 19, 2026
One of Ukraine’s Largest Drone Attacks
Ukraine carried out one of its largest long-range drone attacks of the war, with Russian officials saying more than 600 Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow and the surrounding region overnight into Tuesday.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 637 drones were launched toward the capital, while Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that nearly 800 Ukrainian drones were shot down across Russia during the broader overnight barrage.
Moscow Region Comes Under Heavy Attack
According to Russian officials, 197 drones were intercepted over the Moscow region. The attack also caused disruptions and damage at several locations around the capital.
Moscow-region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said at least three people were injured, including a 10-year-old girl. A major Wildberries logistics facility in the Moscow region was also hit and caught fire.
The scale of the attack marked a major escalation in Ukraine’s increasingly deep drone campaign against targets inside Russia.
Hundreds More Drones Reported Across Russia
The assault was not limited to Moscow.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had intercepted or destroyed 791 Ukrainian drones overnight, with attacks reported across multiple Russian regions. Ukrainian forces have increasingly used long-range unmanned aircraft to target military, industrial and logistical infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.
The attacks came as the war continues despite international efforts to find a path towards negotiations.
Wildberries Facility Hit
One of the most notable incidents involved a large Wildberries warehouse near Moscow.
The facility was struck during the overnight barrage, with reports showing a major fire at the logistics centre. The attack highlighted Ukraine’s growing focus on infrastructure and logistical facilities that support Russia’s economy and war effort.
Russia Reports Casualties
Russian regional officials reported casualties in several locations following the drone attacks.
Near Moscow, three people were reported injured. Other Russian regions also reported injuries and damage from falling drone debris and direct strikes.
At the same time, Russian forces continued missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, where a separate Russian strike in the Kharkiv region killed 10 civilians, according to Ukrainian officials and international reporting.
Escalation Comes Amid Wider Tensions
The latest drone offensive comes during a period of heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine and growing international concern over the widening geographic scope of attacks.
The United Kingdom has also become part of the diplomatic dispute after Moscow accused Britain of becoming increasingly involved in Ukraine’s military operations. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reaffirmed the UK’s support for Ukraine.
What Happens Next?
The scale of the latest attack is likely to increase pressure on Russia’s air-defence systems and could trigger further retaliation against Ukrainian targets.
With hundreds of drones being deployed in a single operation, the latest assault demonstrates how drone warfare has become a central element of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing attacks while diplomatic efforts to end the war remain uncertain.
Source: Reuters, Associated Press, ABC News, Al Jazeera.
Original Report: Supreme News Network (SSN)
