A Ukrainian drone struck an upscale residential high-rise in southwestern Moscow early Monday, just six miles from the Kremlin and Red Square, where Russia's scaled-back Victory Day parade is set for Saturday. No casualties were reported, but the building's upper-floor facade was visibly damaged.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said two other drones were intercepted, and operations at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports were suspended overnight. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 117 drones across multiple regions from Sunday to Monday, with 60 targeting the St. Petersburg area in what the governor called a "massive" attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the Kremlin fears "drones will fly over Red Square. This is telling... We need to keep up the pressure." Ukraine has developed long-range drones that routinely strike Russian energy infrastructure and refineries to cut oil production and revenue.
On Sunday, Zelensky said three Russian oil tankers, a cruise-missile carrier, and a patrol boat were hit at two Russian ports. The tankers were part of Moscow's "shadow fleet" used to evade Western sanctions. Meanwhile, Russia continues daily aerial attacks on Ukraine; four people were killed and 18 wounded in a missile strike near Kharkiv on Monday.