Russia’s Defence Ministry said it intercepted 644 Ukrainian drones across 26 Russian regions and annexed Crimea overnight on 15–16 October 2026. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin separately reported that 94 drones were intercepted while approaching the capital, contributing to widespread flight delays and cancellations. The announcement came as US President Donald Trump condemned Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries, arguing they could push global oil prices higher. Meanwhile, Russian strikes caused deaths and power disruptions in Ukraine, underscoring the continuing escalation in attacks on energy infrastructure.
Russia Intercepts 644 Ukrainian Drones as Trump Condemns Refinery Attacks
The Russian Defence Ministry said that drones were intercepted in 26 regions and in annexed Crimea, while Russian strikes in Ukraine caused casualties and power disruptions.
Russia shoots down drones in large numbers over Ukraine, Russian Defence Ministry says it has downed 644 drones overnight in 26 Russian regions and annexed Crimea. The announcement came as US President Donald Trump slammed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Russian officials said the interceptions occurred Thursday night and Friday morning. As the developments unfolded, Moscow’s aviation network was being disrupted and renewed attacks on infrastructure and civilians in Ukraine were taking place.
Russia Intercepts Ukrainian Drones Across Multiple Regions
Drones were intercepted in 26 regions and in annexed Crimea, the Russian Defence Ministry said, while Russian strikes in Ukraine caused casualties and power disruptions.
Russia downs Ukrainian drones on a large scale. The Russian Defence Ministry reports intercepting 644 drones overnight over 26 Russian regions and annexed Crimea. The announcement came as US President Donald Trump blasted Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Russian officials said the interceptions took place Thursday night and Friday morning. As the developments unfolded, Moscow’s aviation network was being disrupted and renewed attacks on infrastructure and civilians in Ukraine were taking place. There was no way to confirm the claim, and the facility was reported to have been damaged in a strike last weekend.
Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defences had shot down 94 Ukrainian drones on their way to the capital overnight from Thursday to Friday. The reported interceptions severely disrupted the city’s air network.
The Moskva News Agency said more than 160 flights were delayed or cancelled at the four main Moscow airports. The biggest disruption for passengers travelling through the Russian capital was at Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports.
Donald Trump Condemns Ukrainian Refinery Attacks
Trump also criticised Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, saying they were pushing oil prices higher worldwide. “Disgrace,” he told Newsmax in an interview, of the strikes.
The comments came after a Ukrainian strike on a refinery southeast of Moscow that supplies the Russian capital. Trump has linked the increasing energy prices to domestic political issues as the US prepares for the midterm elections in November.
Trump last weekend claimed Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to attack each other’s energy facilities, a report that reportedly took Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky by surprise.
Kyiv would then announce an end to the energy ceasefire declared by Trump and criticise the US president’s willingness to make deals with Moscow, Zelensky said.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin played down the impact of Ukrainian strikes on the country’s refineries, saying they caused “nothing particularly significant”.
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Russian Strikes Disrupt Electricity Supplies in Ukraine
The latest developments also focused on the ongoing impact of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. The report said Russian forces attacked the eastern city of Kharkiv, killing three people and wounding five.
Some 370,000 people were left without power in Ukraine’s Volyn region in the country’s northwest near the Polish border after Russian strikes. Polish and NATO fighter jets were scrambled to patrol Polish airspace as the situation developed.
Private energy company DTEK also said Kyiv was under rolling blackouts during Russian strikes, a sign of the strain on Ukraine’s electricity network amid continued hostilities.
The incidents demonstrate that attacks on energy infrastructure continue to be a key element of the conflict, with consequences for civilian services, aviation and regional security beyond the immediate areas impacted.
How things develop further will depend on the severity of future attacks, the state of the energy infrastructure and whether diplomacy can lead to enforceable limits on attacks on critical facilities.
Sprouts News will continue to track verified developments as further statements are issued by Russian and Ukrainian officials, and as the international response develops.
