Russia experienced another consecutive night of drone attacks on 29 May, with explosions in Moscow Oblast and a major fire breaking out at the Avangard plant in Saint Petersburg, according to officials and Telegram sources.

Drone attacks in Moscow Oblast

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced that “an attack by three drones” was repelled around 01:56 local time. He stated that “no serious damage or injuries” were reported and that emergency teams were working at the scene of the debris fall. Sobyanin later confirmed that, “as a result of the interception of an enemy drone, there were no serious damages or casualties in a building on Vernadsky Avenue,” referencing the Mirax Park residential complex.

Russian Telegram channels showed footage of the complex with damage to its facade. The Astra Telegram channel, citing its readers, noted the proximity—about 800 meters—of a military academy of the Russian General Staff.

Another drone debris reportedly hit a residential building in Moscow’s Odintsovo. SHOT Telegram reported:

“Fiery drone fragments fell near a residential building on Chistyakova Street and damaged several cars.”

Meanwhile, Supernova+, a Ukrainian Telegram channel, published videos of those explosions at the top floors of residential buildings in Moscow, claiming they were caused by Russian Pantsir S1 anti-air missiles hitting the structures.

Additional explosions were reported by pro-Russian media in Aprelevka and Zvenigorod in Moscow Oblast.

At 07:18, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 48 drones were intercepted between 20:00 on 28 May and the early hours of 29 May, with most of them – 30 – allegedly shot down in Belgorod Oblast. The Ministry claimed only three interceptions in Moscow Oblast.

Flight disruptions at Vnukovo and Kaluga airports

Russian aviation representative Artem Korenyako confirmed that the “Carpet” protocol was activated at Vnukovo Airport around 01:50. According to pro-Kremlin Telegram sources, 14 departures and 20 arrivals were delayed. By 03:10, restrictions at Vnukovo were lifted, though similar measures were later enacted at Kaluga Airport.

Fire at Avangard defense electronics plant in Saint Petersburg

Separately, a fire erupted at the Avangard plant in Saint Petersburg around 01:00, with Astra claiming the causes of the blaze were unknown. SHOT Telegram reported that flames broke out in areas used for microchip production. Witnesses described “loud explosions” before the fire. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Saint Petersburg, “firefighting is underway in a production building at 72 Kondratyevsky Avenue. The fifth floor of the six-story structure is burning across an area of 100 square meters.”

Astra reported that the fire was first reported at 23:49 on 28 May. The response involved 11 fire trucks and 41 personnel, taking six hours to extinguish the blaze. No casualties were reported. Russian sources stated the incident was not related to the drone attacks.

Avangard is classified as a Federal scientific-industrial center and produces radio electronics, microchip technologies, and structural components for Russia’s defense systems.

Prior drone attacks on 27–28 May

On 28 May, Ukrainian drones targeted the Kronshtadt drone plant in Dubna, Moscow Oblast, causing explosions. That same morning, Zelenograd’s Elma technopark was hit, resulting in a fire and structural damage.

Today, Supernova+ released satellite imagery showing the aftermath of the attack on the Kronshtadt plant, stating: “Damage [is visible] on satellite images, eight holes in the roof. Eight drones out of ten, each carrying 40 kg warheads, struck the target precisely.”

Earlier, on 27 May, kamikaze drones struck the Murom Instrument-Building Plant, nearly 700 kilometers from Ukraine.