Hundreds of AI drones: Ukraine was preparing a large-scale operation to block Moscow airports

Ukrainian officials developed a plan for an operation using artificial intelligence drones to block civilian air traffic in Moscow in early 2026. The project involved a massive launch of drones at airports in the Russian capital, but its preparation was halted in July after the dismissal of Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov.

This is reported by The Atlantic .

According to journalists, the operation was codenamed “M&Ms.” Its goal was to achieve a prolonged closure of Moscow airspace to civilian flights and create additional pressure on Russian elites who depend on international air traffic.

To implement the plan, they planned to use a large number of inexpensive drones of the same type. According to one of the sources, the idea was to simultaneously launch up to 1,000 drones per night to overcome Russian air defenses.

A feature of the plan was to use autonomous guidance systems. The drones were to navigate themselves using technology that compares images of the terrain with pre-loaded maps and images of targets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to one source, expressed serious doubts about such a plan. In particular, he feared that if a civilian aircraft were hit, it could lead to the death or injury of passengers and crew.

Meanwhile, preparations for the operation continued for several months. According to sources at The Atlantic, its organizer was then-Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was developing Ukraine’s military drone program and was recruiting programmers to create an autonomous guidance system.

In July, preparations for the operation were halted after Fedorov was fired. One of the publication’s sources suggested that the project could theoretically be resumed with a new team, but it could take about 3 months.

Ukraine has already sought to temporarily suspend Russian airports due to drone attacks. According to Russian aviation authorities, between June 28 and July 28 last year, Russian airports were closed 114 times due to the threat of Ukrainian drones, and Moscow airports were subject to at least 17 such restrictions.

At the same time, a representative of the Office of the President of Ukraine denied the existence of a plan for a massive attack by drones with artificial intelligence on Moscow airports.

“This is complete nonsense,” the official said.

According to him, Ukraine did seek to close Russian airports, but it does not have long-range weapons that are accurate and reliable enough to strike such facilities without excessive risk to the civilian population.

We will remind that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 23, declared Moscow’s readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement of the war and called for a halt to the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

It was reported the day before that the trilateral talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the US, are unlikely to resume until the end of the summer due to the Kremlin’s reluctance to change its position . The Russian side continues to insist on maximalist demands and does not demonstrate a willingness to compromise.

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