Moscow mayor says 613 drones flew toward the Russian capital overnight

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 613 drones flew toward the Moscow region from 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday Moscow time, according to Reuters, as published by Al Jazeera, and the independent outlet Meduza. He said air defences destroyed 231 of them as they approached the city and neutralized most of the others at more distant approaches. Russia's defence ministry said it downed 1,214 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight, Reuters reported.

The attack came as Moscow hosted a two-day Russia-Africa summit, Free Malaysia Today and Al Jazeera reported. Sobyanin has said an attack in September involving about 1,600 drones was the largest on the region since the war began.

Why it matters: Russia and Ukraine have both stepped up long-range attacks in recent months while preparing for U.S.-mediated peace talks expected next month, Reuters and The Guardian reported.