Ukraine Carries Out Major Drone Attack on Moscow During Russian Elections Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Moscow as Russia held the final day of its parliamentary elections, with Russian authorities reporting casualties and damage to an oil refinery facility. Ukraine carried out a large-scale drone attack targeting Moscow on Sunday as Russian voters took part in the final day of a parliamentary election. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the incident as the largest drone attack on the Russian capital so far. Russian authorities said the attack was intercepted but resulted in casualties and damage to infrastructure. Casualties Reported After Drone Strikes According to Moscow authorities, two people were killed in the Moscow region during the attacks. Russian election authorities also reported two additional deaths in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Kherson region, including an election official. A facility at the Moscow oil refinery, which has previously been targeted during the conflict, was also damaged, according to Russian officials. Sobyanin said the attack had been planned to disrupt the elections but claimed that the attempt had failed. Ukraine did not immediately provide a response to the Russian authorities’ claims in the report. Russia Warns of Further Strikes Following the drone attacks, Russian officials said Moscow would increase strikes on Kyiv. The developments came as Russian citizens completed voting in the country’s parliamentary election, the first State Duma election since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. An exit poll indicated that the ruling United Russia party was on course to retain its parliamentary majority. Election Held Amid War The Kremlin has presented the election as an indication of public support for President Vladimir Putin’s policies, including Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Russian election authorities said voting had generally proceeded without major disruption despite cyberattacks reported during the election period. Interfax, citing Russia’s Central Election Commission, reported that voter turnout had exceeded 50 percent by early Sunday afternoon in Moscow. Final election results were expected to be released on Monday. Putin Calls for Support for Russian Forces Before the election, Putin addressed the country in a televised speech and said the vote would demonstrate support for Russian military personnel involved in the conflict. He called on citizens to participate in the election and portrayed the vote as a reflection of national unity. The election has also drawn criticism over the participation of opposition candidates. Several anti-war candidates were reportedly barred from standing. Candidates from the liberal Yabloko party who did participate said they were concerned about possible legal consequences after courts sentenced two senior party figures to prison over comments related to the conflict. The election and drone attacks took place against the backdrop of the continuing Russia-Ukraine war, which has entered its fifth year with no immediate end to the conflict in sight.