On the night of May 3, several regions in Russia, including Moscow and Leningrad, were reportedly targeted by drone attacks. This information has emerged from statements by Russian authorities, Ukrainian monitoring channels, and local residents.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that air defense systems intercepted 334 Ukrainian drones across 15 regions, including occupied Crimea. However, independent verification of these figures is lacking, and it remains unclear how many drones were not intercepted.
In the village of Chernyevo, located in the Volokolamsk district of Moscow, a 77-year-old local resident was killed during the drone attacks, according to Moscow Governor Andrei Vorobyov. The circumstances surrounding the fatality, whether due to debris or a direct hit from a drone, have not been clarified.
In Leningrad region, Governor Alexander Drozdenko stated that 59 drones were shot down overnight, although he did not report any casualties. Local residents reported hearing the sounds of drones and explosions in the area.
Ukrainian monitoring channels also reported a fire at the Primorsk port, which Governor Drozdenko later confirmed as a “fire incident” that was quickly extinguished.
In the Smolensk region, authorities reported that three individuals were injured due to falling debris from the drone attacks.
In response to the incidents, Russian aviation authorities imposed temporary restrictions at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports, as well as at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport, leading to the cancellation or delay of numerous flights.
The Ukrainian General Staff has not yet commented on the outcomes of the attacks. Recently, Russian regions have faced drone strikes almost daily, with maritime ports frequently being targeted.
Drone attacks on May 3 affected several Russian regions, resulting in casualties and airport disruptions. Russian authorities reported numerous interceptions, while local reports indicated injuries and property damage.