Russia thwarts massive Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow, mayor says

MOSCOW

The Russian air defense system successfully repelled a massive Ukrainian drone attack targeting the capital city on Wednesday evening, said Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, who added that the attack is still ongoing.

Twenty-seven drones have been shot down in the past few hours, Sobyanin said in a statement on Telegram, noting that the air raid continues, but the Russian air defense systems continue to neutralize them.

He said the debris from one of the downed Ukrainian drones fell in a kindergarten.

Several Moscow airports earlier suspended operations because of air raid alerts, according to the Russian Air Transport Agency, Rosaviation.

The authorities asked civilians to stay away from the debris, warning they may have undetonated explosives.

"Do not approach drones' debris until the arrival of emergency services closer than 200m. Do not pick up damaging elements from detonated drones. Toxic substances may be applied," the authorities said in a public warning.

In a separate statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said a total of 37 drones were shot down and jammed across five Russian regions.