Ukrainian drone attack on logistics center in Russia kills seven

Massive drone barrage on Moscow

In parallel to the attack on Kotovsk, the Russian capital Moscow was the target of a massive drone barrage. "From the Russian capital Moscow, further attacks with hundreds of drones were reported," Russian officials said.

Moscow's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, spoke of one of the heaviest drone attacks on the capital. A total of 370 drones had flown toward Moscow from the Ukrainian army, Sobyanin said. The drones came in several waves via different approach routes.

"64 enemy drones were destroyed on approach to Moscow," the city administration said. "Most of them, however, were already neutralized at a great distance, it was said." The Russian air defense had been able to intercept the majority of the drones before they could cause damage.

Russian counterattacks on Ukrainian territory

The Russian army also continued its attacks on Ukrainian territory. "In Russian missile strikes in the Odessa region, a cargo ship was damaged," Ukrainian sources said. The ship had been in port at the time of the attack.

"Four crew members were injured according to the military governor," the Ukrainian side said. The injuries were of varying severity, and no one is in life-threatening condition. The cargo ship did not sink but is unable to continue its voyage for the time being.

"The Russian army also attacked industrial infrastructure," Ukrainian sources further reported. No further details were initially provided about possible casualties or the extent of the damage to the industrial facilities.

Background

The mutual attacks illustrate the ongoing violence in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. While Ukraine is attempting to penetrate deep into Russian territory with swarms of drones, Russia is using missiles against targets in the port region of Odessa.

The report was broadcast on July 18, 2026 on the Deutschlandfunk program. Both sides regularly report attacks on the other's national territory and accuse the opposing side of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure.