**Major Drone Strike Targets Russian Tech Hubs Near Moscow**

A significant drone attack by Ukrainian forces has struck notable technological hubs in Russia, targeting Zelenograd, Russia's renowned "Silicon Valley," and a machine-building plant situated north of Moscow, according to Russian media and Ukrainian officials on Wednesday.

In response to the overnight assault, Russia's civil aviation authorities temporarily halted flights at Moscow's major airports: Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky. The Defense Ministry reported intercepting almost 300 Ukrainian drones spanning 12 regions, including Moscow. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that air defenses successfully downed at least 33 drones near the capital. Authorities in the Moscow region reported an additional 42 drones were intercepted, and three homes sustained damage from the attacks.

Ukraine’s head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, identified key targets of the strike as the Dubna Machine-Building Plant and the ELMA Technopark in Zelenograd, an essential location for electronics development. Kovalenko mentioned, "There appear to have been some successful hits," highlighting ELMA’s role in substituting critical components formerly sourced from the West.

Although The Moscow Times was unable to confirm the claimed "successful hits" independently, the Telegram news channel Astra shared videos showing drones flying over and exploding near ELMA-Zelenograd. This facility is central to various developments in IT, microelectronics, robotics, and medical technology. Despite the severity of the attack, Russian authorities maintained that there were "no serious damages or injuries" and stated that emergency services were attending the scene.

Dubna, approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Moscow, is another significant scientific and technological hub, primarily engaged in nuclear research. The Dubna Machine-Building Plant’s website details its involvement in developing electronics, software, and lasers, among other technologies.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, state media reported that at least 15 people were injured in Russian attacks overnight. Both nations have intensified their aerial assaults over the recent two weeks, despite recent attempts at direct peace talks. On Monday, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed the destruction of 2,331 Ukrainian drones within a week, accusing Kyiv of undermining the ongoing peace negotiations.