Zelenskyy says Russia is shifting air defenses to protect Moscow and other key sites after drone strikes

By — Illia Novikov, Associated Press Illia Novikov, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/zelenskyy-says-russia-is-shifting-air-defenses-to-protect-moscow-and-other-key-sites-after-drone-strikes Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Zelenskyy says Russia is shifting air defenses to protect Moscow and other key sites after drone strikes World Jun 25, 2026 6:52 PM EDT KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia is moving a significant part of its air defenses to protect a handful of prime targets, including Moscow, as Ukraine's long-range drones hammered sites deep inside the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. In new overnight strikes, Zelenskyy said Thursday that Kyiv's forces hit two more Russian oil refineries in Ufa, 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from the front line, and an oil depot in the Krasnodar region, 300 kilometers (180 miles) from Ukraine. READ MORE: Ukraine's latest long-range strikes on Russia hit a major natural gas plant and satellite communications centers In recent months, Ukraine has stepped up its aerial campaign against Russian military installations and energy facilities. Its success has caused fuel shortages and disrupted army supply lines, stalling Moscow's full-scale invasion after more than four years of fighting. Zelenskyy said in his daily address late Wednesday that Russia is moving more air defenses to the capital as well as to Valdai, a town some 500 kilometers (300 miles) northwest of Moscow and the site of a residence for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said they are also protecting the Kerch Bridge, a vital supply route connecting the Crimean Peninsula with the Russian mainland. "In the Moscow region alone, they have amassed hundreds of launchers" for air defense missiles, Zelenskyy said. "Nearly 90 launchers have been redeployed to Valdai from other regions of Russia." It was not possible to independently verify Zelenskyy's claims, which portrayed the Russian leadership as caring more about protecting itself than other cities and towns in the vast country. Russian officials made no immediate comment. Ukrainian drones this month have hit Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city and Putin's hometown. Ukraine is also trying to cut off Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that Russia invaded and illegally annexed in 2014. The air defense changes, Zelenskyy suggested, would leave other parts of Russia vulnerable to Ukraine's increasingly sophisticated long-range drones, which can now fly more than 1,500 kilometers (930 miles). "There are many difficulties (for Russia), all because Putin refuses to end his war and to hear our proposals for a meeting, genuine negotiations, and a dignified peace," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy has accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump but Putin has refused, and a year of U.S.-led peace efforts made no significant headway. Trump praises Zelensk