Reference News Network, January 5 report. According to Reuters, January 5 report, according to data released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukraine has been attacking Moscow with drones every day since the beginning of 2026, which seems to mark an escalation from sporadic attacks on the capital in the early stages.
The report said that the Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the Telegram software that as of midnight on the 4th, the Russian air defense system had shot down 57 drones in the Moscow area, and the total number of drones shot down within Russia had reached 437.
This daily operation indicates a departure from past patterns, where attacks on Moscow were more intermittent, usually occurring on symbolic dates or as a means of sending a message, rather than becoming a routine pressure campaign.
Ukraine did not immediately comment, but Kyiv has increasingly used long-range drones to strike targets deep inside Russia. Ukraine states that such attacks aim to disrupt military logistics and energy infrastructure, increase Moscow's operational costs, and respond to Russia's repeated missile and drone attacks. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported multiple interceptions since New Year's Eve, but provided no further details.
Russia typically only reports how many drones its air defense systems have shot down, without reporting how many drones Ukraine has launched, and rarely discloses the full extent of damage, unless there are civilian casualties or civilian targets are attacked.
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency stated on the Telegram software that due to security reasons, the attack incidents forced Moscow airport and dozens of other airports across Russia to temporarily close.
This disruption comes during Russia's New Year and Orthodox Christmas holiday period, which will last until January 9 this year, with many Russians taking time off and traveling domestically and abroad, making this one of the busiest periods for the country's transportation and tourism industry.
According to RIA Novosti, in the past week, the Russian air defense system intercepted and destroyed at least 1,548 Ukrainian drones. (Translated by Wang Haifang)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7591846207183225380/
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