By Our Correspondent

National News – A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Moscow region has left three people dead and several others injured, according to Russian officials.

The overnight assault reportedly targeted residential areas, oil facilities, and critical infrastructure around the Russian capital.

Authorities said the attack began in the early hours of Sunday as air defence systems attempted to intercept hundreds of incoming drones.

Russian officials confirmed that a woman died in the town of Khimki after a residential building was struck and partially collapsed.

Two more victims, a man and a woman, were killed in the village of Pogorelki.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that 12 people were injured after drones hit an oil refinery in the city, damaging nearby homes and sparking fresh security concerns across the region.

The Russian military claimed that 556 Ukrainian drones were intercepted during the operation.

Drone debris was also reported at Sheremetyevo Airport, one of Moscow’s busiest international airports, though airport authorities said flights and passenger services continued without major disruption.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as a justified response to recent Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.

Earlier this week, Russian attacks reportedly killed dozens of civilians in Kyiv, increasing tensions between both nations as the conflict continues into another year.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said Russia launched fresh drone and shelling attacks on the Dnipropetrovsk region overnight, injuring at least eight people and damaging homes and buildings.

Fires were also reported in the regional capital, Dnipro, following the attacks.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, continues to intensify with both countries increasing long-range drone strikes on energy facilities and strategic locations.