Ukraine Launches Largest-Ever Drone Attack on Russia — ~556 Drones Target Moscow, 4 Killed; Sheremetyevo Airport Paralyzed

Overnight into May 17, 2026, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack of the entire war, sending approximately 556 drones at Russia across multiple regions. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted 556 drones, yet fires erupted at a Moscow oil refinery and Transneft oil-pumping stations in Moscow Oblast, the ELMA Technopark was struck, and debris fell on Sheremetyevo Airport — Russia's busiest — causing roughly 200 flight delays and cancellations, with another 100 at Vnukovo. At least 4 people were killed: 3 in the Moscow region and 1 in Belgorod Oblast. At least 12 more were wounded. A house in the village of Subbotino caught fire, and residential blocks in Istra (western Moscow Oblast) were damaged. Ukraine's SBU confirmed it conducted the operation jointly with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, describing the targets as military-industrial and fuel infrastructure. President Zelensky called the attack 'entirely justified' and 'a completely fair response,' citing Russia's killing of 24 civilians — including 3 children — in recent Kyiv strikes. He said: 'Ukrainian long-range sanctions reached the Moscow region, and we are clearly telling the Russians: their state must end its war.' The attack marked an unprecedented escalation in Ukraine's deep-strike campaign, extending from refineries to the Russian capital region itself on Day 1,543 of the full-scale invasion.