How many drones did Ukraine launch at Russia, and what was the reported impact according to Russian authorities?

Ukraine launched around 600 drones at Russia overnight, according to the news. Russian authorities reported that air defences shot down 556 drones overnight across the country, with another 30 intercepted after dawn; the attacks killed four people — including a woman in a private house in Moscow’s capital region, two men in the same region, and one man in Belgorod’s Shebekino district — and wounded 12 people in Moscow, damaged three residential buildings, and struck infrastructure facilities.

What justification did President Zelensky give for Ukraine’s drone attack on Russia, and how did he frame its strategic significance?

President Volodymyr Zelensky called the drone barrage 'entirely justified' as a response to Russia's prolonged war and its recent attacks on Ukrainian cities, specifically citing the missile and drone bombardment of Kyiv that killed at least 24 people. He stated that Ukrainian long-range strikes had now reached the Moscow region to send a clear message: 'their state must end its war', framing the operation as both retaliatory and strategically significant — marking the largest-scale Ukrainian attack on Moscow since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Ukraine launches around 600 drones at Russia, Zelensky claims ‘justified’ attack

May 17, 2026

Ukraine launched nearly 600 drones into Russia, targeting an oil refinery and other facilities; although production was not disrupted, the strike represents one of the largest barrages of the ongoing conflict.

france24

2026-05-17

Ukraine launches around 600 drones at Russia, Zelensky claims ‘justified’ attack

2026-05-22

Ukraine Hits Russian Oil Refinery, Zelensky Says, as Kyiv Intensifies New Tactic

Ukraine launches around 600 drones at Russia, Zelensky claims ‘justified’ attack

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