Ukraine Zelenskyi: Attacks on Moscow "fully justified"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has described the counter-strikes with drones against Moscow and the capital region as "completely justified". It was the country's reaction to the ongoing Russian war of aggression, the head of state announced on Telegram. He also published a video showing a large cloud of smoke in the distance - as alleged proof of the momentous attacks near Moscow.

Keystone-SDA

17.05.2026, 14:26

SDA

"The concentration of Russian air defenses in the Moscow region is the greatest. But we are overcoming them," said Selensky. The Ukrainian long-range drones had reached targets 500 kilometers from Ukraine's state border. "We are telling the Russians very clearly: your state must end this war," he continued. "The Ukrainian manufacturers of drones and missiles are continuing their work."

Selenskyj thanks military for strikes

The Ukrainian secret service SBU and the military often work together in counter-strikes against Russian targets. "I thank the SBU and all the defense forces of Ukraine for their marksmanship," Selenskyj said.

The Russian authorities reported at least 3 dead and 17 injured, as well as damage to numerous residential buildings in Moscow and the capital region, among other things. Moscow, in turn, had attacked Kiev and other cities last week. Selenskyj spoke of 52 dead and more than 300 injured in Ukraine alone during the week.

Ukraine reports attack on coast guard boat in the Caspian Sea

Meanwhile, the head of the Ukrainian drone forces, Robert Browdi, published a video showing a strike on a Russian coast guard boat near Kaspiysk in the Russian republic of Dagestan. The ship is said to have been hit around 1,000 kilometers from the front line.

A drone can be seen approaching the boat despite resistance and hitting the target. The recording cannot be verified. There is no confirmation of the hit from the Russian side. Browdi reported that Ukraine was able to reach ever more remote targets in the Russian hinterland with its increasingly sophisticated drones.