On the evening of October 26, Ukrainian drones pierced the dense defensive ring around Moscow. Despite the Kremlin’s sweeping claims of “impenetrable” air defenses, repeated strikes in the capital region suggest Russia’s system is struggling to meet the technological demands of modern warfare.
That night, Moscow came under drone attack. Citing Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, Russian media said air defenses allegedly shot down six UAVs as they approached the capital.
Explosions were heard in Dubna, home to a key nuclear research center, as well as in New Moscow and Kommunarka. Telegram channels circulated videos of smoke and blasts, pointing to possible hits.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, confirmed the attack without providing details. The appearance of mobile fire groups near the Kremlin signals stepped-up defensive measures. The incident underscores the capital’s vulnerability to aerial strikes and the growing sophistication of drone warfare.
Over the past two months, a new air-defense perimeter has been established around Moscow, comprising 21 sites up to 50 km from the city, with 80% positioned to the south. OSINT analysts say the network includes Pantsir, S-300 and S-400 systems, along with radars and electronic warfare assets. Units are regularly moved between positions to maintain mobility and readiness. The number of Pantsir systems has grown the most, reflecting preparations to counter drone attacks.
A separate air-defense ring has been set up around Putin’s residence in the Valdai District, featuring 13 Pantsir positions, one S-400 system and a radar.
According to Blik, the buildup is tied to frequent Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russia. Despite modern systems, Western experts point to vulnerabilities against low-altitude UAVs, highlighting the network’s limited effectiveness against contemporary threats.
Military expert Pavlo Narozhny says open-source maps of air-defense sites shouldn’t be treated as definitive, as they aren’t official documents and may be speculative. He adds that systems like the S-300 and S-400 are mobile and can be rapidly redeployed, complicating any assessment of their current layout and effectiveness.
“To objectively assess the effectiveness of Moscow’s air defenses, you need detailed statistics—for example, how many drones, missiles or aircraft were launched and how many reached their targets. Such data aren’t available in open sources. However, if you look at Russian claims that of 34 drones at least three or four reached central Moscow, that indicates a lack of 100% coverage and density, making it impossible to intercept every target,” the expert told the news outlet Focus.
Narozhny also points to Russia’s use of mobile fire groups to combat drones. Their activity, he says, suggests a lack of confidence in core systems like the Pantsir, S-300 and S-400, which—despite bold claims—have not fully neutralized the UAV threat.
The presence of these groups highlights gaps in the network, which cannot guarantee complete protection even for key sites in the Russian capital.
He adds that modern Ukrainian drones used in strikes on Russian territory pose a serious challenge. In his view, Moscow’s shortfalls stem from both technological limitations and tactical missteps. That’s borne out by regular reports of successful long-range drone attacks hitting targets deep inside Russia, including strategically important facilities.
Narozhny concludes that Moscow’s air defenses remain ill-adapted to modern challenges, particularly low-flying, maneuverable drones. That opens the door to further tactical innovation with UAVs—complicating the capital’s defenses even more.
Russia, meanwhile, is turning to World War II-era methods, installing balloon barrages—airborne balloons with nets—to defend against Ukrainian drones. The archaic approach is intended to stop modern UAVs, though its effectiveness is in doubt.
Overnight on October 27, Russia’s Defense Ministry said 193 Ukrainian drones took part in an attack. The largest group was headed toward Moscow, with 34 counted. The strike threatened 13 regions in European Russia. Two drones reached the Orenburg region, bordering Kazakhstan and the Urals.
