MOSCOW DAILY - 26 MARCH 2026
Russian Air Defense Claims 51 Ukrainian UAVs Intercepted Targeting Moscow; FSB Announces Prevention of Multiple Terror Plots in Moscow Region Targeting Officials and Military
Russia intercepts 51 Ukrainian UAVs targeting Moscow; large-scale drone attacks continue
Russian air defenses intercepted 51 Ukrainian UAVs on approach to Moscow March 26, per Mayor Sobyanin. Follows record 389 UAV downings March 24-25, indicating sustained Ukrainian strategic strike campaign against Russian infrastructure.
FSB reports preventing series of terror attacks in Moscow and Moscow Oblast targeting officials, military
FSB announced March 26 prevention of multiple planned terrorist attacks in Moscow region targeting government officials, military personnel, critical infrastructure. Ukrainian special services allegedly directed operations; suspects detained with explosives, UAV components.
Peskov: Russia-Ukraine negotiations show no progress on key issues; maintains contact with U.S.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov stated March 26 Russia-U.S. contact continues on Ukraine settlement, but main negotiating issues remain unresolved. Deputy FM Galuzin confirmed March 25 Russia's negotiating position unchanged, focused on NATO expansion issues.
Financial Times: Russia negotiating drone supplies to Iran following U.S.-Israel strikes
After initial U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, Moscow began secret discussions on supplying UAVs to Tehran, per FT citing Western intelligence sources. Indicates potential Russian-Iranian military cooperation deepening amid regional conflict.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Russian air defenses intercepted 51 Ukrainian UAVs targeting Moscow on 26 March per Mayor SOBYANIN reporting to TASS — representing sustained Ukrainian deep-strike campaign following the record 389-UAV downing overnight 24-25 March and 948-drone barrage on 24 March documented in previous cables as Ukrainian forces maintain pressure on strategic Russian infrastructure. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on 26 March the prevention of multiple terrorist attacks planned for Moscow and Moscow Oblast targeting government officials, military personnel, and critical infrastructure, with Ukrainian special services allegedly directing operations and suspects detained with explosives and UAV components per FSB.ru press release — marking significant escalation in FSB counterterrorism messaging amid sustained Ukrainian drone campaign. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry PESKOV stated on 26 March that Russia-U.S. contact continues on Ukraine settlement but "main negotiating issues remain unresolved" per RIA Novosti reporting — following Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei GALUZIN's 25 March statement documented in yesterday's cable that Russia's negotiating position "has not shifted" and remains focused on NATO expansion as conflict root cause, signaling no movement in Russian demands despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr ZELENSKY's 25 March disclosure that Washington is proposing security guarantees in exchange for Ukrainian withdrawal from unoccupied Donbas. Financial Times reported 26 March that Moscow began secret discussions on supplying UAVs to Tehran following initial U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran per Western intelligence sources cited by Meduza — indicating potential Russian-Iranian military cooperation deepening amid regional Middle East conflict as Moscow positions itself as Tehran's military-technical partner. END SUMMARY.
