Ukraine has launched its largest ever drone attack on Moscow ahead of peace talks in Saudi Arabia later today.
Russia’s defence ministry reported that 337 drones were intercepted or destroyed in the capital and in nine other regions.
One person has reportedly been killed and three injured in the overnight attack.
Russian media has reported that the fatality is a 38-year-old guard working at a car park belonging to major food company Miratorg.
Russia’s defence ministry reported that 337 drones were intercepted or destroyed in the capital and in nine other regions
GETTY
The offensive appears to be the largest drone attack that Ukraine has launched so far in the Moscow region.
Dozens of drones were reported, some targeting residential areas.
There are reports of damage to apartments as well as fire at the car park which has burnt down 20 cars.
Regional Governor Andrei Vorobyev said 12 people - including three children - were evacuated from their residences after the strike.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- Ukraine will work 'constructively' with Trump as Zelensky says peace talks with US will take place in Saudi Arabia next week
- Donald Trump turns ire on Russia as he issues major threat to Putin over Ukraine bombings - 'Act before it's too late'
- 'Blood on his hands!' Trump claims Putin's bombing blitz is 'what anybody else would do' to Ukraine
Four airports in the city have temporarily shut.
This comes just hours before planned peace negotiations between Ukrainian and US officials are set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s head of office Andriy Yermak is due to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The meeting between the two follows a tense encounter last month between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump last month at the White House.
Dozens of drones were reported, some targeting residential areas
GETTY
The clash led Trump to stop the flow of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Rubio has said talks today would be “key” to resolving the pause in aid.
He said the stop in aid "came about because we felt that they [Ukraine] were not committed to any sort of peace process", adding "if that changes, obviously our posture can change".
In a video address yesterday evening, Zelensky said Ukraine would take a “constructive” position at the negotiations, adding he hoped for a “practical result”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arriving in Saudi Arabia
REUTERS
Although the Ukrainian leader is also in Saudi Arabia meeting the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he is not expected to be formally involved in today’s talks.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has reported Russian overnight attacks as well.
In the city of Odesa, a fuel tank, a residential home and a warehouse holding children’s toys caught fire after a drone attack.
The Sumy region was also targeted by drones, artillery and glide bombs, injuring one civilian and damaging five residences.
In the city of Kherson, a 40-year-old was injured from a drone attack, and in the Donetsk region, one person was killed and four injured in attacks on the towns of Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivk.
