Russian air defence shoots down 180 Ukrainian drones in biggest attack on Moscow in two years

People walk in a park as black smoke rises from the area of Gazprom Neft`s Moscow oil refinery on the south-eastern outskirts of Moscow on Thursday. PIC/AFP

Russian air defence forces have shot down approximately 180 Ukrainian UAVs as Moscow continues to face a massive drone attack, news agency IANS reported, quoting local media on Thursday.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described it as the largest drone attack on the Russian capital in the past two years.

"The air defence's work continues," he stated, as reported by state-owned Tass.

Several drones also targeted an oil refinery in the Kapotnya district. The mayor said authorities are dealing with the aftermath of the attack.

In view of the attack, Moscow temporarily closed several airports, with aviation operations placed under special control of the Ministry of Transport and the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya).

"Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports are currently temporarily not accepting or departing flights. These restrictions are necessary to ensure flight safety. This is a priority," the ministry said.

Children among 16 injured in drone attacks in Moscow: Governor

Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov informed that 16 people, including two children aged 10 and three, were injured in the drone attacks.

"All emergency and operational services are working in an enhanced mode and are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of residents. All victims are receiving the necessary medical care and are under constant medical supervision. We are in contact with their families and will provide all necessary support to everyone affected by this attack," he added.

The development comes days after US President Donald Trump stated that his administration would turn its attention to the Russia-Ukraine war following a breakthrough agreement with Iran. Trump had expressed optimism that Moscow and Kyiv may be open to negotiations.

Earlier this month, Russian air defence forces had shot down 144 Ukrainian drones over the Leningrad region, with no major damage reported.

Russia returns 522 bodies to Ukraine in repatriation effort

Russia has handed over the remains of 522 people, identified as killed Ukrainian soldiers, to Ukraine, officials said on Thursday, in one of the few acts of cooperation between the two warring countries.

"As a result of the repatriation efforts, the bodies of 522 deceased individuals have been returned to Ukraine," Ukraine's prisoners of war coordination centre said on social media.

"According to the Russian side, the bodies belong to citizens of Ukraine, in particular servicemen," it added.

Russian parliamentarian Shamsail Saraliyev confirmed the exchange to Russian broadcaster RBC. He said Russia had received the bodies of 33 of its own soldiers in return, news agency AFP reported.

Ukraine did not confirm whether it handed over any bodies to Russia.

(With IANS and AFP inputs)