Massive Drone Attack Disrupts Moscow Airports, Damages Buildings and Cars

In the early hours of Sunday, July 20, Russia’s capital Moscow and the surrounding region came under a large-scale drone attack. Residents in the suburban town of Zelenograd reported hearing explosions, according to Russian Telegram channels. Some buildings sustained damage, with windows shattered by the blasts.

In another residential courtyard, two cars caught fire—reportedly due to debris from a downed drone. In the village of Golube, locals said the explosions were so powerful that walls and windows shook in their homes.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed that Russian air defenses allegedly shot down at least 16 drones heading toward the city. As a result of the attack, all Moscow airports—Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—temporarily suspended operations.

In Kaluga region, residents also reported hearing loud drone flyovers and claimed that air defense systems were activated. As is typical, Russian authorities have not released any official information on the targets or extent of the damage.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense later stated that its air defenses had allegedly shot down 93 drones overnight across nine regions, including 19 over Moscow Oblast.

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Despite ongoing Russian strikes on residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and critical facilities, Ukraine consistently adheres to international humanitarian law and targets only legitimate military objectives. All actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducted in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, with a clear distinction made between civilian and military targets.

As of the time of publication, Kyiv had not officially commented on any possible involvement in the attack.

This follows a similar incident early on July 19, when drone debris damaged overhead lines on the Likhaya–Zamchalovo rail section in Russia’s Rostov region, leading to delays for 75 long-distance trains and the cancellation of several commuter services.