A significant Ukrainian drone attack in the early hours today led to the temporary closure of two major Moscow-region airports. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that the drones were intercepted and destroyed over the Ramenskoye and Kolomensky districts, with no serious damage or casualties reported.
Following the incident, Russia’s federal air transport agency restricted operations at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports at approximately 5:30 a.m. GMT.
The escalation in conflict comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new strategic partnership treaty with North Korea, which includes a mutual defence clause, according to a decree published yesterday.
Meanwhile, Russia has expressed openness to discuss proposals from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump aimed at ending the conflict.
On the battlefield, Ukraine is facing mounting challenges. Russian forces continue to advance, and Ukrainian forces may soon contend with additional North Korean troops joining Russia’s campaign, according to Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi.