Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Reported AI Drone Plan Targeted Moscow Airports Amid Russian Barrage
Reports say Ukraine considered using many computer-guided drones to disrupt airports in Moscow.
The plan reportedly involved up to 1,000 drones each night.
The drones would use maps, pictures and cameras to find targets without constant human control.
The goal was to make flying to Moscow difficult and pressure Russia.
The plan was reportedly never carried out after a Ukrainian defense minister left office.
A Ukrainian official said the report was nonsense and warned that civilians could be endangered.
At the same time, Russia launched missiles and drones at Kyiv and nearby areas.
Ukrainian officials said at least 16 people died and about 40 were injured.
Both countries also reported attacks on infrastructure and large numbers of intercepted drones.
Ukraine reportedly considered launching up to 1,000 autonomous drones nightly at Moscow’s four major airports.
The proposed operation, reportedly codenamed “M&Ms,” was intended to disrupt civilian aviation and pressure Russia.
A Ukrainian presidential office official denied the report, calling it “total nonsense” and citing risks to civilians.
Russia’s overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed at least 16 people and injured about 40, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukraine and Russia exchanged further claims of strikes and drone interceptions, while Poland, Romania and Moldova reported related airspace concerns.
- Who
- Ukraine and Russia were involved, with Ukrainian officials, Russian authorities and Ukrainian and Russian military forces making competing claims.
- What
- Ukraine reportedly considered an autonomous drone campaign against Moscow airports while Russia conducted a major missile and drone attack on Kyiv and surrounding areas.
- When
- The proposed operation was presented during winter 2025-26; the Russian barrage and related attacks were reported in the same account, but no specific date was provided.
- Where
- The reported targets were Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports in Moscow; the Russian attack struck Kyiv and surrounding areas.
- Why
- The reported Ukrainian plan aimed to disrupt Russian aviation, impose costs on Russia and potentially encourage negotiations; Russia said its Kyiv strikes targeted military-related facilities.
Report of Proposed Ukrainian Operation
Ukrainian Official’s Rejection
Whether the plan existed
Report of Proposed Ukrainian Operation
The Atlantic report, cited by Ukrainian media, said Ukraine developed a plan codenamed “M&Ms” under former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and continued preparations before they were halted.
Ukrainian Official’s Rejection
An official in the Ukrainian presidential office rejected the account as “total nonsense.”
Feasibility and civilian risk
Report of Proposed Ukrainian Operation
The reported plan envisioned autonomous drones using maps, images and live camera feeds to identify and strike targets, with possible warnings to airlines.
Ukrainian Official’s Rejection
The Ukrainian official said Ukraine lacked sufficiently reliable long-range weapons to attack the airports without creating excessive risks to civilians.
Purpose of Russian strikes
Report of Proposed Ukrainian Operation
Ukrainian authorities said Russia’s barrage damaged civilian sites, including a school, children’s hospital and kindergarten, and killed at least 16 people.
Ukrainian Official’s Rejection
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces targeted a Kyiv industrial facility producing cruise-missile components, drone-related sites, an ammunition depot and a logistics center; those claims were not independently verified.
- Reported operation
- “M&Ms,” a proposed Ukrainian drone operation described by The Atlantic and cited by Ukrainian media.
- Planned scale
- As many as 1,000 AI-guided drones per night.
- Reported airport targets
- Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky.
- Casualties in Kyiv attack
- At least 16 people killed and about 40 injured, according to Ukrainian officials.
- Kyiv attack locations
- Strikes were reported at 28 locations, damaging residential and other civilian infrastructure.
- People sheltering
- More than 38,000 people, including over 2,000 children, sheltered in Kyiv subway stations.
- Russian interception claim
- Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 726 Ukrainian drones overnight.