Ukrainian forces used balloons to carry out drone attacks targeting Moscow’s airports. According to the Telegram channel Mash, the aerostats served both as transport platforms for unmanned aircraft and as airborne launch sites.

The balloons traveled through several towns in the Moscow region, passing Serpukhov, Chekhov, Ramenskoye, Elektrostal and Noginsk. Their destinations were three major airports serving the Russian capital: Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo, the channel reported.

The large-scale assault began overnight on October 23, when 155 drones headed toward Moscow. Russian forces intercepted most of the incoming aircraft at a considerable distance from the capital, but the raids continued into the daytime. By 5:10 p.m., Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin had reported the destruction of another 26 aerial targets approaching the city.

The continuing attacks forced all four Moscow airports to suspend arrivals and departures. Airspace over the capital was also closed to civilian flights as a security precaution, while an air raid alert was declared at Sheremetyevo.

Yan Gagin, a member of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, believes the growing frequency of daytime drone strikes on Moscow reflects Kiev’s efforts to increase pressure on Russia as negotiations with the United States make progress. Speaking to NEWS.ru, he argued that Vladimir Zelensky is deliberately using attacks against the Russian capital to prolong the conflict while seeking additional financial support from Western allies.