Ukraine's massive drone barrage kills six in Russia

On the night of August 15-16, 2026, Ukraine conducted one of its largest aerial attacks of the war, launching hundreds of drones toward Russia. According to Russian officials, around 600 drones were detected heading toward Moscow, with 201 shot down over the Moscow region. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a total of 822 drones were destroyed across 16 regions, occupied Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea. The attack caused significant damage and casualties: in the Moscow region, an 83-year-old man was killed when a drone struck a private home in the Ramensky district, and a fire broke out at a Wildberries logistics warehouse in Podolsk, causing a large plume of smoke. In the Rostov region, five people were killed in attacks on three towns, with more than 150 drones involved, damaging homes, a railway station, and sparking a forest fire. The Ukrainian drone manufacturer Fire Point claimed responsibility for striking the Wildberries hub, part of a broader campaign targeting Russian economic infrastructure. The attacks also led to temporary flight restrictions at several airports, including three of Moscow's international airports. In response, Russia launched its own strikes on Ukraine, killing at least three people, including two in Kryvyi Rih and one in Sumy, and injuring many others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces launched missiles and 106 drones, with most intercepted, and he renewed appeals for more air defense support from Western allies. The attacks highlight Ukraine's increasing use of long-range drones to strike deep into Russian territory, aiming to disrupt military logistics and bring the war home to Russian civilians. The strikes on Wildberries warehouses, which Ukraine accuses of handling military goods, have caused billions of dollars in damage and are part of a strategy to undermine Russia's war effort. The incident also saw a drone cross into NATO airspace over Romania, where it was shot down by a Spanish F-18 fighter jet, underscoring the risk of escalation. Overall, the attack demonstrates Ukraine's growing capability and willingness to strike high-value targets inside Russia, while Russia continues its own aerial campaign against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.