Moscow: Ukraine Planned an Unprecedented Attack to Disrupt Elections

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The Mayor of Moscow condemned the drone attacks launched by Ukraine on the Russian capital. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that Ukraine launched more than 1,600 drones, accusing it of seeking to "disrupt" the legislative elections.

He also added in a post on Telegram today, Sunday, that Russian air defenses shot down more than 1,600 drones since Saturday, including "450 that were heading towards Moscow," adding, "It is clear that this unprecedented attack aims to disrupt the elections."

These statements came after Russian authorities reported that Moscow and its surroundings were attacked this morning by hundreds of drones, resulting in the death of two people and causing damage to an important oil refinery, on the last day of the Russian legislative elections. Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov stated that 249 drones were intercepted in an attack that caused damage in several residential areas. He wrote on Telegram shortly after 3:00 GMT that "the attack is ongoing." He noted that two people were killed, a 44-year-old woman and an elderly man in two different areas.

In a third location affected by the attack, 400 people were evacuated due to a fire that broke out after a drone crashed into a building, according to Vorobyov.

The attack occurred on the third and final day of the Russian legislative elections, in which President Vladimir Putin's party "United Russia" is expected to win.

These attacks took place despite U.S. President Donald Trump's confirmation on Monday that Ukraine and Russia had pledged to stop targeting energy infrastructure in both countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously confirmed that Kyiv is ready to take "de-escalation steps" if Russia does the same, a gesture that the Kremlin considered a "good idea."

He also announced his intention to meet Trump next week in New York and expressed hope to resume direct talks with Russia after the legislative elections, while the Kremlin did not rule out holding a meeting in October.