Russia's defense forces shot down a record 343 Ukrainian drones early Tuesday in what officials described as the largest drone assault since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. The unprecedented aerial barrage left three dead and 18 injured, including three children, across multiple Russian regions, exacerbating tensions as high-level talks commenced between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the protracted conflict.
Russian authorities stated that 126 drones were intercepted over Kursk, where intense fighting has escalated in recent months. Another 91 drones were destroyed near Moscow, marking the heaviest drone strike yet on the Russian capital region, home to over 21 million residents. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the scale of the attack, describing it as "the biggest" targeting Moscow since hostilities began.
The strikes disrupted air travel across the Russian capital region, briefly halting flights at Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports, according to Russia's aviation watchdog. Flights resumed hours later after being rerouted temporarily.
Two employees of Russia's Miratorg meat production company were killed when drone debris fell onto their workplace, highlighting the risk civilians continue to face. Residential buildings and cars also sustained substantial damage, Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said.
In response, Colonel General Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament's defense committee, urged President Vladimir Putin to authorize retaliatory strikes using the hypersonic "Oreshnik" missile, previously deployed after Ukraine used Western-supplied weapons to attack deep into Russian territory last year. Kartapolov emphasized the necessity for a robust response, saying such strikes would be "useful-and not just one."
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts aimed at halting the violence unfolded thousands of miles away in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where senior Ukrainian officials met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio expressed cautious optimism ahead of discussions, indicating the U.S. delegation was primarily seeking to gauge Kyiv's openness to concessions and peace terms rather than presenting fixed conditions.
"I'm not going to set any conditions on what they have to or need to do," Rubio told reporters en route to Saudi Arabia. "We want to listen to see how far they're willing to go and then compare that to what the Russians want and see how far apart we truly are."
Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak underscored the significance of securing "a just and lasting peace" alongside robust security guarantees to prevent future aggression. Kyiv officials reportedly proposed terms including a ceasefire in the Black Sea region, measures to stop missile strikes on civilian targets, and a prisoner exchange.
The diplomatic engagement is also viewed as an opportunity for Ukraine to mend strained ties with Washington following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's contentious White House visit on February 28, which resulted in the temporary suspension of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing. A breakthrough in Jeddah could expedite the resumption of critical American support.
Additionally, Ukrainian representatives signaled readiness to finalize an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine's strategic reserves of rare earth minerals, aligning with President Trump's economic objectives. While acknowledging the significance of the deal, Rubio clarified that its completion was not a prerequisite for ongoing peace discussions.
The Kremlin, however, remains steadfast, reiterating conditions that Ukraine abandon NATO aspirations and formally recognize Russian control over annexed territories. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated Moscow expects briefings from the U.S. on outcomes from the Jeddah talks, describing such exchanges as "normal practice."
