Ukraine on Tuesday launched its biggest ever drone attack on Moscow, killing at least two workers at a meat warehouse, injuring 18 others, and causing a short shutdown at the Russian capital’s four airports, Russian officials said.
A total of 337 drones were downed over Russia, including 91 over the Moscow region and 126 over the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been pulling back, the Russian defense ministry said.
They went on to claim that their air defense systems intercepted most of the drones, but debris from downed UAVs caused fatalities and destruction in multiple districts. Residential areas and industrial sites reportedly sustained damage, with emergency services battling fires in several locations.
The attack led to temporary closures of Moscow’s main airports, including Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo, severely impacting air traffic. Authorities have yet to provide a full assessment of the material damage.
Kyiv has not officially commented on the attack, but Ukrainian forces have escalated drone strikes deep into Russian territory in recent months. Military analysts suggest these operations are part of Ukraine’s long-range strategy to disrupt Russian infrastructure and morale.
Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities continue on multiple fronts. Ukrainian cities, including Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Kyiv, suffered overnight Russian attacks this week. The situation remains fluid, with both sides experiencing gains and losses. Important battlefield updates include:
Russian Advances in the Kursk Region
Russian forces have made significant progress in the Kursk region, with reports indicating that the operation is in its final stages. Russian troops have entered Sudzha, Ukraine’s last significant position in the area, threatening Ukrainian supply lines. Ukrainian officials, including Chief Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, have hinted at a partial withdrawal to preserve troops’ lives. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited Kursk, expressing confidence in the complete liberation of the region.
Ongoing Battle for Toretsk
The battle for Toretsk continues, with Russian forces having captured large parts of the city and surrounding settlements, including Shumy, Zalizne, Pivdenne, Druzhba, Pivnichne, and Niu-York. As of January 29, geolocated footage confirmed Russian control over 88% of the city, yet the Institute for the Study of War now suggests that Russian forces may struggle to make substantial gains due to a lack of committed forces and the wide area of responsibility.
On 9 March, it was announced that Russian forces in Toretsk were struggling to hold their crumbling defenses, with Ukrainian troops launching a decisive push into the town’s southern microdistrict. What followed was a swift and brutal assault as elite Ukrainian units overran exhausted Russian fighters, reclaiming key ground in the battle for control.
The goal of the Ukrainian forces is to completely retake control of the city and liberate it after their previous counterattacks proved successful. The Russian forces in the town have exhausted themselves from almost a year of constant and costly urban combat, exposing weak points for the Ukrainians to exploit.
The Velyka Novosilka Offensive
Russian forces have continued their offensive in the Velyka Novosilka area, capturing several settlements, including Vuhledar, Zolota Nyva, Rivnopil, Rozdolne, Novyi Komar, Novodarivka, Blahodatne, Makarivka, and Storozheve. These advances have brought Russian troops to the outskirts of Velyka Novosilka, threatening to encircle Ukrainian forces in the area. The Institute for the Study of War reports that Russian forces have made significant progress, but Ukrainian troops continue to mount a defense.
Diplomacy:
European defense ministers discuss Ukraine security guarantees
Defense ministers from Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom met in Paris to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s military, stating, “There is growing consensus that Ukraine’s first and foremost security guarantee is its army.”
He also mentioned that approximately 15 countries have expressed interest in keeping this initiative, including proposed security frameworks to facilitate a ceasefire in Ukraine.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey announced that European allies will further strengthen their efforts to form a ‘coalition of willing partners,’ ensuring Ukraine’s security in the event of a ceasefire.
The French National Assembly this week adopted a resolution supporting Ukraine. Supporters of the resolution urge the European Union and NATO to continue and expand military, political, and economic support for Ukraine.
“The National Assembly condemns Russia’s interference in democratic processes within the European Union and its neighborhood, particularly in the elections in Moldova, Georgia, and Romania,” their statement read.
Russia Responds
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday that Russia would view the deployment of any foreign troops in Ukraine or the construction of foreign military bases there as unacceptable. Such activity would mean the direct involvement of foreign countries in a conflict with Russia, Zakharova said, adding that Russia would take what she called appropriate measures if any country attempted to deploy its troops.
US, Ukraine come to agreements after talks in Saudi Arabia, Russia hesitant
Following diplomatic talks with the US in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine proposed a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, while Washington agreed to resume intelligence sharing and military aid for Kyiv. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the ball is now in Putin’s court, as US special envoy Steve Witkoff headed to Russia to discuss the ceasefire proposal. Despite this diplomatic maneuver, battlefield advances have likely left Russian President Vladimir Putin feeling little pressure to halt the fighting.
Russia has presented the United States with a list of demands aimed at ending its war in Ukraine and resetting relations with Washington, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The specific contents of Moscow’s demands remain unclear, as does whether Russia is open to peace talks with Kyiv before these terms are accepted. Over the past three weeks, Russian and American officials have engaged in both in-person and virtual discussions regarding the terms, the sources said.
US President Donald Trump has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that “devastating” sanctions would be imposed if Moscow rejects a ceasefire agreement in the Ukraine conflict.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
