Russia Reports Wave of Drones, Explosions Rock Moscow, Strategic Factory Burns

Russia claims it intercepted and destroyed 48 Ukrainian drones between the evening of May 28 and the morning of May 29, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

As per the ministry’s report shared on Telegram, the drones were reportedly downed in the following areas:

• 30 UAVs over Belgorod Oblast

• 4 UAVs over Orel Oblast

• 4 UAVs over Ryazan Oblast

• 4 UAVs over occupied Crimea

• 3 UAVs over Moscow Oblast

• 2 UAVs over Bryansk Oblast

• 1 UAV over Tambov Oblast

In Moscow Oblast early Thursday, May 29, explosions were heard as air defense systems activated in response to drone detections. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Russian Telegram channels, including Astra, confirmed the temporary suspension of operations at Vnukovo Airport.

Residents of Odintsovo, Aprelevka, and Zvenigorod reported hearing explosions. Social media videos showed a powerful blast in Odintsovo, where drones were intercepted over residential areas.

One video clip appeared to show UAV debris falling in a yard; another showed a hit above a residential building.

Rosaviatsia initiated the “Carpet” emergency airspace plan at Vnukovo, reportedly due to the air threat. Russian media reported delays of 14 departing and 20 arriving flights.

Mayor Sobyanin later stated that air defenses had “repelled” an attack by three drones in the Moscow region. He added that, according to preliminary data, there were “no serious damages or casualties.”

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Separately, a drone allegedly struck a building in the Mirax Park residential complex on Vernadsky Avenue in southwest Moscow. Again, Sobyanin insisted there were no major injuries or damage.

Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg, a fire broke out late on May 28 at the Avangard plant, a facility listed as strategically important to the Russian defense industry. Footage shared online showed thick black smoke billowing over the city.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the fire was linked to the drone attacks. The St. Petersburg Emergency Ministry said no casualties were reported. The blaze required 11 fire trucks and 41 personnel; open flames were later extinguished.

Photos: a fire broke out late on May 28 at the Avangard plant / Russian Emergency Ministry

Avangard is a federal research and production center known for manufacturing radio electronics, microcircuit technology, and structural components for military equipment. In 2014, it opened the Microsystems Engineering Center on its main campus at 72 Kondratievsky Ave.

In the early hours of May 28, long-range drones operated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) struck the Raduga Design Bureau in Dubna, approximately 130 kilometers north of Moscow, according to Kyiv Post sources within the agency.

The strike reportedly hit the plant’s assembly and equipment workshops, causing fires. Raduga, part of Russia’s Tactical Missiles Corporation, produces Kh-101/555, Kh-69, and Kh-59MK cruise missiles – all used in attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.

The drone attack came as part of a record-breaking barrage in which Russia claimed to have shot down nearly 300 Ukrainian drones across several regions. Moscow’s airports were briefly shut down, and officials described the scale of the attack as highly unusual.

Moscow Mayor said 33 drones were downed near the capital, while the regional governor reported 42 intercepted across 12 municipalities. Damage to buildings was reported in Chekhov, but no casualties.

The strike followed a wave of intense Russian air attacks, during which nearly 1,000 drones and missiles were launched on Ukraine between May 25 and 27, killing 13 civilians, including three children.