Russia Downs 84 Drones Near Moscow as Strikes Kill 7 in Ukraine and Black Sea
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 22
Russia Downs 84 Drones Near Moscow as Strikes Kill 7 in Ukraine and Black Sea
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 22
Summary
84 drones headed for Moscow were shot down in 24 hours, Russian officials said, after airports including Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo briefly halted flights before reopening.
301 drones were intercepted nationwide overnight, according to Russia's defence ministry, while Ukraine's military said it struck the Dubna satellite communications centre near Moscow.
6 people were killed in Russian attacks across Ukraine — three in Sumy, two in Zaporizhzhia and one in Odesa — with fires and damage reported at homes and an agricultural facility.
1 Egyptian crew member died after Russian drones hit the Panamanian-flagged Turkish-operated vessel Victress; two other merchant ships under Palau and Belize flags were also attacked but continued sailing.
The exchanges followed last week's strikes on Moscow's only oil refinery and came as Crimea cancelled open-air events, dimmed street lights and restricted fuel sales amid supply disruptions.
As cheap drones bypass Moscow's defenses, is Russia's military superpower status being fundamentally challenged?
Ukraine is bringing the war to Moscow's doorstep. Will this strategy crack Russian public support or unify it against a common enemy?
With Russia's 'shadow fleet' attacking merchant ships, is global maritime trade facing a new era of state-sponsored piracy?
Over 60 Drones Strike Moscow: Ukraine’s June 22, 2026 Attacks Expose Russian Vulnerabilities and Shift War Dynamics
Overview
On June 22, 2026, Moscow and Russian-occupied territories faced a major wave of Ukrainian drone attacks, with nearly 60 drones intercepted as they targeted the capital. Residents shared videos of drone flyovers and explosions, while airports were forced to temporarily halt operations, causing widespread disruption. In the aftermath, some Moscow residents noticed black, sooty raindrops, prompting health warnings from authorities. The attacks extended to Crimea, where officials stopped fuel sales and canceled public events, and to other occupied regions like Berdiansk. These coordinated strikes disrupted logistics and daily life across multiple regions, highlighting Ukraine’s expanding operational reach.