Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defences repelled two drones, but one hit a tower on Mosfilmovskaya Street near central Moscow; emergency crews responded and no casualties were immediately reported.
The strike hit an upscale district as the Russian capital prepared for its annual World War Two Victory Day parade, a major state event.
Drone attacks near Moscow's centre remain rare in the Russia-Ukraine war, underscoring the conflict's reach deep inside Russia ahead of a highly symbolic commemoration.
How did a cheap drone penetrate Moscow’s vaunted air defenses to strike just miles from the Kremlin?
Is Russia’s scaled-back Victory Day parade a sign that Ukrainian drones have won a major psychological victory?
May 4, 2026 Mosfilm Tower Drone Strike: Ukraine’s Deepest Attack on Moscow and Its Strategic Impact
Overview
On May 4, 2026, Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on Moscow's Mosfilm Tower, hitting the 36th floor and exposing critical gaps in Russia's air defenses. This attack, part of a broader wave of drone operations, delivered a psychological blow to Moscow's elite and forced Russian authorities to scale back the upcoming Victory Day parade and reinforce security around President Putin. Ukraine's mass-produced, AI-enabled drones exploited weaknesses caused by Russia's reliance on Western components and attrition of radar systems. The strike intensified tensions, deepened the deadlock in peace talks, and escalated drone warfare, with both sides increasing attacks on strategic targets, including Russian energy infrastructure, raising global economic and security concerns.