Panic in Moscow after massive drone attack, Russia claims record air defense success
Illustrative photo: blackout in Russia (Getty Images)
On the night of November 1, Russia came under a massive drone attack. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, air defense systems reportedly shot down 98 drones across ten regions, including Moscow.
According to the agency, the attack lasted from 11:00 p.m. on October 31 until 7:00 a.m. on November 1.
The largest number of drones — 45 — were reportedly downed over the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. Another 12 were destroyed over the Samara region and 11 over the Moscow region, including six on approach to the Russian capital.
In addition, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed the following:
-
10 drones were shot down over the Voronezh and Rostov regions;
-
4 over the Tula region;
-
2 each over the Lipetsk and Ryazan regions;
-
1 each over the Kursk and Kaluga regions.
Earlier, on the evening of October 31, Russian forces also reported destroying 38 drones over three regions — Belgorod, Voronezh, and Crimea. According to their statements, 34 drones were allegedly neutralized over the Belgorod region and two each over Voronezh and Crimea.
Independent sources have not confirmed these claims, and the Ukrainian side has traditionally not commented on reports of attacks inside Russian territory.
Blackout in the Moscow region
During the night of October 31 to November 1, a large-scale power outage occurred in the Moscow region, leaving thousands of residents without electricity.
According to local Telegram channels, streets and homes were plunged into darkness around 11:00 p.m. local time. The administration of Zhukovsky confirmed that the outage was caused by an "emergency situation in the power system."
So far, Russian official sources have not provided a full explanation for the blackout, creating uncertainty around the incident.
