Moscow was jolted by a deadly car explosion that killed three people, including two traffic police officers, even as Russian authorities reported overnight Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the capital and nearby regions, underscoring a sharp escalation in strikes deep inside Russia.
When and how did the car explosions take place?
Russia’s Investigative Committee said an explosive device detonated early Wednesday (December 24, 2025) when police officers approached a “suspicious person” near their patrol vehicle on Yeletskaya Street in southern Moscow.
The blast killed Lt Ilya Klimanov, 24, and Lt Maxim Gorbunov, 25, both traffic police officers, along with a third individual believed by Russian security-linked Telegram channels to have been planting the device. Gorbunov was married and had a nine-month-old daughter, the Interior Ministry said.
How did the car explosions trigger a security cordon?
The explosion occurred around 1.30 am local time, prompting a major security cordon and the launch of a criminal investigation. Officials said CCTV footage was being reviewed.
An anonymous Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) official told the international media that the attack was part of an agency operation, though Kyiv has not officially commented.
How was the car explosions similar to the killing of Russian general?
The bombing came just days after a senior Russian military officer, Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, head of the operational training directorate of the general staff, was killed when a bomb exploded under his car in Moscow.
Russian investigators have described that incident as a likely assassination linked to Ukrainian intelligence. It marked the third such bombing in Moscow in the past year involving senior officers connected to Russia’s war in Ukraine, fuelling calls from Russian officials and pro-war figures for swift retaliation.
How did Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow industrial area?
Separately, Ukrainian drone attacks targeted Moscow overnight, forcing temporary flight restrictions at two of the capital’s four major airports, according to Russia’s civil aviation authority.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at least three drones heading for the city were shot down, with emergency services dispatched to sites where debris fell. He did not immediately report damage or casualties.
What did Russia do to defend Moscow from drone strikes?
Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defence systems destroyed 172 Ukrainian drones overnight, nearly half over regions bordering Ukraine.
In the Tula region south of Moscow, debris from a downed drone sparked a fire at an industrial facility, Governor Dmitry Milyaev said, adding that 12 drones were intercepted over the region. No further details about the site were disclosed.
Ukraine has intensified long-range drone strikes inside Russia, saying it is targeting military, energy and logistics infrastructure to disrupt Moscow’s war effort in response to continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.