Massive Drone Interception: Russia Claims Nearly 900 Ukrainian Drones Neutralized Overnight

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia's Defence Ministry announced the interception of nearly 900 Ukrainian drones overnight, targeting various regions including Crimea and the Sea of Azov. Reports indicate that a fuel depot in Moscow was set ablaze following the attacks, resulting in casualties. Ukraine has increasingly utilized long-range drones to strike Russian territory, while Russia continues its aerial assaults on Ukrainian civilian areas. The situation remains tense as both sides engage in strategic military operations, impacting vital resources and infrastructure.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 6, 2026, 17:01 IST

Intense Drone Activity Over Russia

Kyiv: The Russian Defence Ministry reported that its air defenses successfully intercepted almost 900 Ukrainian drones overnight, targeting various regions, including the occupied Crimean Peninsula and the Sea of Azov.

Unverified reports from media sources indicated that a significant fuel depot in the Moscow area was ablaze following the drone attacks, resulting in two fatalities.

Over the past 4.5 years since the onset of a full-scale invasion by Moscow, Ukraine has increasingly utilized its domestically produced long-range drones and missiles to strike Russian territory.

Despite the Russian military's air dominance, aerial assaults on civilian targets in Ukraine have become commonplace.

Moscow's Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, stated that 650 drones were directed towards the Moscow region from Monday evening to Tuesday morning. Most were intercepted at a distance, while 105 were shot down as they neared the city.

Sobyanin later confirmed that an additional 68 drones aimed at Moscow were neutralized during the daylight hours on Tuesday.

Ukraine has frequently targeted Russian oil refineries and storage facilities, claiming to have incapacitated 51% of Russia's oil refining capabilities last weekend, a statement that remains unverified. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that these attacks have cost Russia approximately 1% of its GDP.

Historically, Russia ranks as the world's third-largest refined fuel producer, following the US and China. In response to the Ukrainian strikes, the Kremlin has prohibited diesel exports, leading to a surge in global prices. This situation prompted US President Donald Trump to advise Ukraine to refrain from targeting Russian refineries.

Following several days of strikes on bridges in Kyiv aimed at disrupting civilian life, Russia targeted a bridge over the Dnipro River in Zaporizhzhia, as reported by Mykhailo Semikin, the head of the regional military administration.

The attack resulted in a temporary halt of traffic across the bridge.

A nighttime assault by Russian forces on a residential building in Zaporizhzhia injured five individuals, while a daytime strike on a warehouse ignited a significant fire, according to regional head Mikhail Semikin.

Additionally, Russian forces are attempting to disrupt shipping activities in Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which is crucial for Kyiv's grain export revenues.

The Russian Defence Ministry stated that its forces targeted locations in Ukraine's southern Odesa region on the Black Sea coast using drones, hitting an ammunition depot, a bulk carrier in Chornomorsk port carrying dual-use goods, and port infrastructure in Izmail.