Ukrainian drones attack Moscow as Zelenskyy suggests fresh ceasefire talks

In the early hours of Sunday, July 20, Moscow and its surrounding areas were hit by a large-scale Ukrainian drone assault, triggering panic and damage in several residential districts. 

The Russian capital experienced one of the most intense drone attacks in recent months, prompting a temporary halt to flights at the city’s main airports.

According to reports from Russian Telegram channels, residents in Zelenograd heard loud explosions that shattered windows and damaged building facades. In the village of Golube, the blasts caused intense vibrations in walls and windows, and two vehicles were reported ablaze, likely due to falling drone debris. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that air defenses intercepted 16 drones approaching the city. As a safety measure, four major airports—Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—briefly suspended operations, leading to flight delays and cancellations.

Similar drone-related incidents were noted in the Kaluga region, where locals heard drone activity and witnessed the deployment of Russian anti-aircraft systems. As usual, officials withheld specifics regarding the UAVs’ targets or the full extent of the damage. Later, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a total of 93 drones had been downed across nine Russian regions overnight, including 19 in the Moscow area.

Ukraine proposes fresh peace talks with Russia next week

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Saturday that Kiev had proposed a new round of peace negotiations with Moscow to take place next week, shortly after deadly Russian strikes across Ukraine.

Two previous negotiation rounds in Istanbul have failed to yield a ceasefire, though they did facilitate prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ remains.

“Security Council Secretary Umerov... reported that he had proposed the next meeting with the Russian side for next week,” Zelensky said in his evening address, emphasizing the need to accelerate diplomatic efforts. He reiterated his willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin directly, saying, “A leadership-level meeting is essential to achieve true and lasting peace.”

At last month’s talks, Russia presented a list of rigid demands, including the cession of more Ukrainian territory and a halt to Western military support—terms Kiev deemed unacceptable, casting doubt on the value of continued dialogue without compromise from Moscow.

Earlier this month, the Kremlin expressed readiness to resume negotiations after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum for Russia to reach a peace agreement or face new sanctions. Trump also vowed to provide Ukraine with additional military aid, supported by NATO allies, as the country continues to endure intensified Russian air attacks.

Escalation of Russian strikes

Russia has ramped up both long-range aerial assaults and frontline offensives in recent months, ignoring Trump's ultimatum. On Saturday, missile and drone attacks killed at least three people in Ukraine.

Two individuals died after a missile struck Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region, a key industrial zone currently facing increased Russian advances. Earlier, an overnight barrage of 20 drones hit the port city of Odesa, killing at least one person.

A separate Ukrainian drone strike on the southern Russian region of Rostov forced the temporary suspension of train services for about four hours and injured a railway worker.

Both Russia and Ukraine are increasingly using large numbers of inexpensive drones to saturate and test each other’s air defenses. On Saturday, both sides claimed to have intercepted hundreds of drones in this escalating drone warfare.

As part of the Istanbul arrangements, Ukraine repatriated the bodies of 1,000 soldiers to Kiev on Thursday, while Russia confirmed it had received 19 bodies from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the European Union on Friday approved its 18th sanctions package against Russia, targeting banks and lowering the oil price cap in an effort to limit Moscow’s war financing capabilities.