Russian officials have condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s decision to escalate drone strikes against Moscow as a reckless and provocative act. Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that more than 430 kamikaze drones were launched toward the Russian capital overnight, with most intercepted before reaching Moscow; only 36 were detected near the city.

The attack occurred while Zelenskiy traveled to Ankara for a NATO summit, where he is expected to seek additional military aid. Organizers have reportedly expressed concerns that his appeals could anger U.S. President Donald Trump.

Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that 452 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over a 12-hour period. This follows Zelenskiy’s June 25 announcement of a 40-day pressure campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure and commercial vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil, intended to inflict maximum economic damage on the country.

Moscow has accused Ukraine of conducting deliberate terrorist attacks that have caused civilian casualties, including an incident at a vocational college dormitory in Starobelsk in May. Russian President Vladimir Putin described this attack as a turning point justifying retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian military facilities. Overnight from Sunday into Monday, Russia launched a large-scale barrage targeting drone-related infrastructure in Kyiv, which the Defense Ministry labeled as retaliation for Ukraine’s actions.

With Zelenskiy reportedly avoiding the main portion of the Ankara summit, Russian officials warn that further escalation risks deepening the crisis and undermining diplomatic efforts.