**Russia Reports Large-Scale Drone Attack by Ukraine**
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that more than 150 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over several regions on May 22. This is reportedly one of the largest such aerial assaults on Russian territory.
According to the ministry, Ukraine launched massive waves of drones deep into Russian territory for at least two days in a row. Between May 20 and May 22, Russia claimed to have shot down 485 drones on its territory. On May 22 alone, 159 drones were destroyed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Moscow time.
The intercepts took place across multiple central and western regions, including areas near the capital city of Moscow. The surrounding regions of Kursk, Oryol, Tula, and others also came under attack, with dozens of drones intercepted in each area.
**Russia’s Response to Ukraine’s Drone Attacks**
The Russian military described the drones as fixed-wing, aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles. While the claims were made by Russia’s Defense Ministry, they could not be independently verified by The Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the matter.
This reported wave of drone activity follows a broader trend that has intensified in recent months. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Moscow and its surrounding regions.
**Impact on Russian Infrastructure**
While few drones appear to have reached the capital city itself, their mere approach has already caused widespread disruption. Since the beginning of the year, Russian airports have been temporarily shut down at least 217 times due to drone threats.
Recently, Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Bolkhov semiconductor plant in Oryol Oblast, which produces parts for Sukhoi warplanes and Iskander and Kinzhal missiles. The facility provides components to at least 19 Russian factories engaged in manufacturing Sukhoi fighter jets as well as Iskander and Kinzhal ballistic missiles.
**Ukraine’s Drone Production**
In April, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine is ramping up drone production to the “maximum.” This significant increase in drone production suggests that Ukraine is preparing for a long-term campaign against Russian infrastructure.
As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the conflict. One thing is certain, however: this reported large-scale drone attack by Ukraine marks a new phase in the ongoing war.
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