• Russia intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones over recent days.
• Conflict escalates despite diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire.
• Moscow airport operations disrupted due to drone threats.
• Both nations utilize drone warfare as an evolving tactic.
• Ukrainian targets include military and semiconductor production facilities.

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia reported intercepting 485 Ukrainian drones launched over a span of more than 36 hours, with 63 drones targeted over the Moscow region. The defense ministry asserted that there were limited operations at four Moscow airports due to drone activity, although the airports resumed normal functioning shortly thereafter, as per Indiatimes, TRT Global, and New York Times.

Meanwhile, on a single day, Russia had already reported downing at least 232 drones, including targets threatened to approach the capital. The air defense system's actions were in response to a wave of UAV assaults from Ukraine that included drone strikes on strategic facilities, notably a semiconductor plant in the Oryol region, impacting military supply lines. Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, confirmed the downing of drones approaching the city, highlighting the urgency of the situation, according to Reuters, TRT Global, and New York Times.

Despite these defenses, both sides continue to engage in a drone warfare strategy that has defined recent battles, with both Moscow and Kyiv investing heavily in drone technology and tactics. Russia's Defense Ministry noted intense fighting along key frontlines, particularly in the Donetsk region, where they claimed to have made territorial gains. Pro-Russian sources reported advances near Pokrovsk, although such claims remain unverified by independent sources, according to Indiatimes, Reuters, and New York Times.