Ukrainian forces launched approximately 600 unmanned aerial vehicles across 14 Russian regions on the night of May 16–17, in what was the largest Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow in over a year. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed it conducted the operation jointly with the Armed Forces.
Moscow Oil Refinery, Angstrem Semiconductor Plant, and Ryazan Among Targets
The SBU identified four primary targets in Moscow Oblast: the Angstrem semiconductor plant – which is under sanctions for manufacturing microchips for Russia’s military-industrial complex – the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Kapotnya district, the Solnechnogorsk fuel pumping station, and the Volodarskoye fuel pumping station, per the SBU’s own disclosure.
Kyiv Post’s OSINT analysis confirmed strikes on the Solnechnogorsk oil storage facility near Durykino – a transit node connected to the pipeline rings encircling Moscow – and on the Elma Technology Park in Zelenograd, which it described as the centre of Russia’s domestic microelectronics production.
The strike package also hit air defence systems and infrastructure at the Belbek military airfield in occupied Crimea, per the SBU.
Two days earlier, on May 15, Ukrainian drones struck the Ryazan Oil Refinery – one of the largest in Russia, processing over 17 million tonnes of oil per year – causing a fire visible across the city. The same night, a Beriev Be-200 aircraft and a Ka-27 helicopter were struck in Yeysk, along with a Tor-M2 air defence system.
On May 16, a fire was also reported at the Nevinnomyssk Azot plant in Stavropol Krai – one of Russia’s largest producers of mineral fertilizers and chemicals used in explosives manufacturing. An NSDC official described the facility as a critical component of Russia’s defence-industrial complex.
An-196 Liutyi, UJ-26 Beaver, and Fire Point FP-1 Lead Ukraine’s Deep-Strike Fleet
Ukraine’s long-range strike fleet draws on several platform types. The An-196 Liutyi – a propeller-driven cruise-missile-type platform with a range exceeding 1,000 km and a 75 kg payload – has been used in strikes on Moscow, oil refineries, and airbases. It uses hybrid guidance combining inertial navigation with satellite communications and machine-vision terminal homing.
The UJ-26 Beaver has also been employed for deep strikes against airfields and infrastructure in Crimea and further into Russian territory. Fire Point’s FP-1 drone – mass-producible and priced at roughly $55,000 – carries up to 120 kg of explosives at a range of approximately 1,500 km.
Swarms of 100–200 drones per night became common in early 2026, with mid-range strikes (50–250 km) quadrupling in frequency since late 2025.
Major Robert Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, stated that the May 16–17 operation struck 46 strategic targets with 186 precision impacts. It was also reported on May 18 that Ukraine has begun deploying modified long-range UAVs carrying both a 60 kg strike warhead and up to eight NURS unguided aviation rockets – combining kamikaze and rocket-launch functions in a single airframe.
Russia Claims 556 Intercepts as Pantsir and S-400 Defences Fail to Stop Moscow Strikes
Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defences intercepted and destroyed 556 Ukrainian drones overnight across 14 regions, including Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk, Tula, Smolensk, Tver, Crimea, and the Black and Azov seas. By midday on May 17, the claimed total had risen to over 1,000 drones intercepted or jammed in 24 hours.
RIA state news agency, citing Defence Ministry data, said on May 18 that Russia had intercepted 3,124 Ukrainian drones in the past week – with the two peak days being May 13 (572) and May 17 (1,054).
However, Kyiv Post noted that geolocation data and eyewitness footage confirmed that a number of strike drones passed through Moscow’s Pantsir and S-400 defences and struck their targets.
Moscow Mayor Sobyanin said 120 drones heading for the capital were shot down. At least four people were killed – three near Moscow – and 12 wounded, mostly near the Moscow refinery. Approximately 200 flights were delayed or cancelled at Sheremetyevo and 100 at Vnukovo.
On the same night, Russia launched 287 drones at Ukraine, injuring at least nine people across the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Ukraine’s Air Force said it shot down all but eight.
Russia has since introduced new restrictions on reporting the aftermath of drone strikes, banning the publication of photos, videos, or details without official authorization.
900 Loitering Munitions in 12 Hours – the First Mass Drone Salvo Exchange Between State Militaries
The night of May 16–17 may represent the first time two state militaries exchanged mass loitering munition salvos simultaneously. Ukraine launched approximately 600 one-way attack drones into Russia while Russia fired 287 at Ukraine – roughly 900 uncrewed strike platforms crossing in opposite directions in a single 12-hour window. Three days earlier, Russia had fired 675 drones and 56 missiles at Kyiv. Russia’s own data shows it intercepted over 3,100 Ukrainian drones in one week. These figures suggest something other than isolated deep strikes; they point to a sustained, industrial-scale attrition campaign being waged by expendable platforms, on both sides, against each other’s cities and economic infrastructure. One can see that the volume has outrun the doctrinal frameworks that most defence establishments use to think about air campaigns.
