MOSCOW - Russian officials said 613 drones flew toward the Moscow region overnight, with air defenses destroying 231 of them on approach to the capital.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported the figures on Oct. 29. He said the drones were detected between 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 7 a.m. on Oct. 29, Moscow time, and that most were neutralized on distant approaches to the region.
The claims could not be independently verified amid the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities had not commented on Russia’s figures at the time of publication.
Airport Restrictions Lifted
Russia’s aviation authority temporarily restricted arrivals and departures at Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports. Interfax reported that the restrictions were lifted at 6:45 a.m. Moscow time.
Temporary restrictions were also imposed overnight at several airports in Russia’s Volga region, the Urals and central regions. Russian officials said the measures were required to ensure flight safety.
Kharkiv Also Struck
Russian forces struck Kharkiv during the same night, damaging an educational institution, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Reuters’ initial report did not include information about deaths or injuries.
Sources: Reuters; Vesti Baku.