Moscow Hit By Largest Ukraine Drone Attack of War: Airports, Railroads Shut

Moscow and the surrounding region were hit by the largest Ukrainian drone attack of the war. Buildings and cars were hit. All Moscow area airports were closed due to the attack and rail travel between Moscow, Rostov and the Black Sea coast was suspended because of damage to power lines. 

Ukraine is increasing its attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure to disrupt normal life in ways the Kremlin has hoped to avoid for the capital and its influential residents. The purpose is to promote greater dissatisfaction with the war and Putin's refusal to negotiate, especially as his summer offensive has failed to make significant gains. JL

Ivan Diakonov reports in Ukraine Pravda:

Explosions erupted across Moscow and Rostov oblasts in the early hours of 19-20 July. Residents in the suburban town of Zelenograd reported explosions. Due to the drone attack, flight departures and landings were suspended at all Moscow airports – Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky. As of Sunday, 132 trains are experiencing delays ranging from 33 minutes to 15 hours "due to the incident at Likhaya station." This section is the main railway route from Moscow to Rostov and further south towards Sochi.
Explosions erupted across Moscow and Rostov oblasts in the early hours of 19 July. Local reports described drone flyover sounds, fires, damaged infrastructure, and halted train services following 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.

Russian authorities claimed that 16 drones supposedly headed for Moscow had been shot down on the night of 19-20 July. Falling debris caused cars to catch fire in Moscow Oblast. A total of 132 trains in Russia are experiencing delays of up to 15 hours following a drone strike on a station in Rostov Oblast.

Source: Russian Telegram channel Astra; Russian Railways

Details: The overhead power line on the Likhaya–Zamchalovo section was reportedly damaged on Saturday.

As of Sunday, 132 trains are experiencing delays ranging from 33 minutes to 15 hours "due to the incident at Likhaya station", as they are passing the affected section at reduced speed.

Media reports indicate that this section is the main railway route from Moscow to Rostov and further south towards Sochi.

Source: Russian Telegram channels; Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

Details: Sobyanin said that Russian air defence systems shot down 16 drones within roughly two hours.

A number of vehicles caught fire as a result of debris from one of the downed drones falling in Zelenograd, located north of Moscow.

Due to the drone attack, flight departures and landings were suspended at all Moscow airports – Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky.

Update: In the morning, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that Russian air defence systems shot down 93 drones overnight over nine oblasts, including 19 over Moscow Oblast.

Background: The Russian Ministry of Defence said that on the evening of 19 July, Russian air defence systems had supposedly intercepted and destroyed 40 "Ukrainian drones" over Russian territory. Seven oblasts came under attack, including the city of Moscow.