In brief
Early Tuesday, Ukraine conducted a vast drone bombardment aimed at Moscow, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict and setting the stage for proposed ceasefire discussions.
Ukraine unleashed one of its largest and most significant long-range drone bombardments on Russian targets early on Tuesday, striking multiple locations across Russia, with a pronounced focus on the Moscow region. This marked a pivotal escalation as both countries increased military hostilities ahead of looming discussions aimed at resolving nearly three years of conflict. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, a total of 337 drones were intercepted, with at least 91 directed toward the capital and its vicinity. Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, characterized the assault as the most substantial faced by the city since the war's inception. Reports from Russian authorities indicated that the attack resulted in at least two fatalities and left 14 others injured.In Moscow, the aftermath of the drone strikes saw one residential building damaged, its roof severely charred from an explosion. The disruption led all four of the city's international airports, which serve a metropolitan population of approximately 21 million, to suspend operations temporarily, as confirmed by Russia's aviation regulatory body.In response to increased tension, Ukraine has proposed an immediate ceasefire in the air, pledging to halt long-range strikes into Russia if Moscow agrees to reciprocate with an equivalent suspension. This proposal has gained traction and support from European countries, including France, and is viewed as a preliminary step toward fostering trust as both parties embark on discussions concerning the broader conflict, which has already resulted in the deaths or injuries of over a million soldiers from both Ukraine and Russia.
