Russia Shoots Down 10 Ukrainian Drones Targeting Moscow
Wafricnews - june 8, 2025
Russian authorities say they intercepted 10 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow early Sunday, triggering the temporary closure of several major airports and escalating tensions in the ongoing war.
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, the drones were neutralized before reaching the city. While no damage was reported in the capital, drone debris sparked a fire at the Azot chemical plant in the neighbouring Tula region, injuring two people. Additionally, officials said seven more drones were destroyed over Kaluga region.
In response to the threat, Russia’s aviation authority suspended flights at Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Kaluga airports as a precaution. All airports resumed operations after a few hours.
The drone assault came days after Ukraine launched a deep-penetration drone operation inside Russian territory, reportedly targeting strategic airbases. Moscow had vowed to retaliate — and did so with a wave of airstrikes across Ukraine.
🇺🇦 Casualties Reported as Russia Hits Ukrainian Regions
Early Sunday, Russian forces struck multiple locations in Ukraine, including the industrial Dnipropetrovsk region, where one person was killed. Local officials say the area was hit by drones, artillery, and rocket fire.
“The invaders struck Synelnykivsky district with a guided aerial bomb. A man was killed,” said Mykola Lukashuk, head of Dnipropetrovsk’s regional council.
“Five homes and a kindergarten were damaged.”
In Nikopol, attacks damaged a private business, homes, and electrical infrastructure, local officials added.
Later in the day, Russia claimed its ground forces had entered Dnipropetrovsk for the first time since the invasion began. The Russian Defence Ministry said tank units had reached the western edge of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and were advancing further westward.
Ukraine has not confirmed this claim, but if verified, the development would mark a significant shift in battlefield dynamics.
Dnipropetrovsk: A Strategic Industrial Prize
Dnipropetrovsk — once home to three million people — is a vital economic hub with heavy industries, mining operations, and a strong military presence. Until now, it had been spared major ground fighting during the war.
Analysts warn that if Russia pushes further into the region, it could deliver a major economic and military blow to Kyiv.
“The flat terrain gives Russia a potential advantage in mobility,” one Ukrainian officer told AFP.
“There are fewer villages and natural obstacles for us to defend.”
Russia Also Hits Zaporizhia and Kherson
In separate incidents, Russian shelling injured civilians in the southern Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, Ukrainian officials reported Sunday. The attacks come amid renewed offensives on multiple fronts, indicating that Moscow is intensifying pressure on Ukrainian defenses.
Peace Talks Stall, Prisoner Swap in Limbo
Despite mounting violence, the latest peace negotiations in Istanbul have failed to produce any major breakthroughs. A proposed 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, which both sides agreed to in principle, has been delayed, with each side blaming the other.
“Ukraine is playing dirty games,” Russian officials said.
“Russia isn’t keeping its promises,” Kyiv countered.
The breakdown in talks and continued escalation of attacks have dimmed hopes of a near-term resolution to the conflict, now in its third year.
Wafric News continues to monitor developments in the Russia-Ukraine war as tensions rise and frontlines shift deeper into Ukrainian territory. Stay with us for further updates and analysis.
By Wafricnews Desk.
By Wafricnews Desk.
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