In the latest Ukrainian attacks overnight, Russian officials said some 620 drones had been flown towards the region surrounding Moscow. Russian air defences destroyed more than 180 of the drones but several people were wounded, officials said.
On Saturday night, Ukraine fired some 822 drones towards Russia, with 600 aiming for Moscow, according to its regional governor, who said the Russian capital had suffered “one of the most massive drone attacks in recent memory”. Seven deaths were reported across Russia.
Much of the focus on Russian threats towards Ukraine’s Western allies has been on hybrid warfare.
Although incidents are rarely confirmed as Russian-sponsored, numerous cases have been reported around Europe involving drones flying close to sensitive military and industrial sites.
Last week, German officials warned of a “real, very acute” risk from hybrid attacks after a drone loaded with explosives was defused close to a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle airport, which acts as a military hub for Germany and its Nato allies.
The government in Berlin is planning to hand its BND and BfV spy agencies sweeping new powers to counter drone threats and hack and disrupt hostile actors.
