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Ukraine Unleashes Massive Drone Assault on Russian Soil

Kyiv strikes deep into Moscow territory as the war enters a new phase of long-range retaliation.

Foreign PolicyPublished June 18, 2026 at 10:52 AM
BBC Russia editor in a suit

Ukraine has significantly escalated its long-range offensive capabilities, launching nearly 200 drones in a massive strike against the Russian capital. The operation, which Volodymyr Zelensky characterized as 'long-range sanctions,' represents the most significant aerial assault on Moscow since the war began.

According to regional officials, the strikes resulted in 17 injuries in the Moscow area, while a separate attack on an oil depot in the Rostov region claimed one life. The Russian defense ministry claims to have intercepted and destroyed approximately 1,000 drones and four cruise missiles within a 24-hour window.

As these strikes reach deeper into Russian territory, the Kremlin is now forced to confront the reality that the conflict is no longer contained to the front lines, raising questions about how Vladimir Putin will adjust his military strategy in response to this sustained pressure.

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