ATES movement sabotage against air defense systems near Moscow: how the Russian capital lost protection from low-flying targets

On the night of May 17, 2026, Moscow felt the thin thread holding the air defense system suddenly weaken. ATESH guerrillas launched pinpoint strikes on communication towers in Putilkov, Kommunarka, and Domodedovo, and within hours, data on low-altitude targets began to arrive with a delay.

The ATES movement, known for its consistent work behind the scenes of Russian troops, has issued a statement about successful sabotage against electronic warfare facilities. According to representatives of the movement, the agents disabled the modules responsible for detecting air targets at low altitudes and transmitting data to air defense command posts. After these actions, the air defense system on the outskirts of the Russian capital lost several important observation points.

What exactly did the partisans destroy?

In the areas of Putilkovo, Kommunarka and Domodedovo there were communication towers equipped with special electronic warfare modules. These devices not only recorded drones and aircraft at low altitudes, but also coordinated the actions of anti-aircraft units. After the sabotage, data began to arrive with a delay of 40 seconds to two minutes. For a system that should react in a matter of seconds, such a pause means that some routes were left without cover.

Local sources confirm that brief power outages and loss of mobile phone signal were observed in these areas on the night of May 17. Russian media initially did not comment on the events, but later reports of "technical malfunctions" at communication facilities appeared.

Massive drone attack that same night

Simultaneously with the sabotage on the ground, Moscow was subjected to the most massive drone attack since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. According to monitoring groups, more than 140 drones were heading to the region. Some of them reached the Elma technopark in Zelenograd, where a fire broke out. Another group struck the Angstrem plant, one of the key microelectronics enterprises.

According to eyewitnesses, air raid sirens sounded for more than four hours. The Russian Defense Ministry announced the shooting down of 112 drones, but independent sources recorded at least 19 direct hits on industrial facilities. The fire on the territory of "Elma" lasted until the morning, and the "Angstrem" plant suspended work for several days.

How did this affect the defense of Moscow?

The loss of low-altitude observation posts has created “blind spots” within a radius of 25–40 kilometers from the Moscow Ring Road. Aviation security experts note that it is at these altitudes that modern kamikaze drones most often operate. Due to the delay in data transmission, the response time of anti-aircraft calculations has increased by an average of 70 percent.

Satellite images have appeared in open sources, showing damaged antennas in the Domodedovo area. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War note that such sabotage may be part of a long-term strategy by Ukrainian partisan movements aimed at exhausting Russian air defenses without the use of large forces.

Reaction of Russian authorities and media

Russian state media initially ignored the events, and later published brief reports about “fires at civilian infrastructure facilities.” Independent Telegram channels, on the other hand, actively discussed the possible involvement of Ukrainian special services and partisans. Some bloggers directly pointed to the ATES movement as the perpetrator of the sabotage.

Moscow authorities have stepped up security at communications and air defense facilities. Additional patrols and restrictions on civilian transport at night have been introduced in the region. However, according to local residents, this has not prevented new incidents in the following days.

International context and implications

The events of May 17, 2026, have attracted the attention of Western media. The Guardian and Reuters have published materials on the growing activity of Ukrainian partisan movements in the Russian rear. NATO analysts note that systematic sabotage against electronic warfare systems could significantly reduce the effectiveness of Russian air defense in the coming months.

Ukraine has not officially commented on its involvement in the sabotage, but the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has emphasized the importance of working behind enemy lines. Experts believe that such actions may be part of preparation for future operations using long-range drones.

What happens next

As of May 17, 2026, repairs to the damaged towers are ongoing. Russian military engineers are attempting to restore communications, but experts estimate that full restoration will take at least two weeks. During this time, Moscow remains vulnerable to low-altitude drone attacks.

The ATES movement has declared that it will not stop there. In subsequent statements, the partisans promise new strikes on facilities that ensure the operation of the Russian air defense system. Whether the Russian special services will be able to stop this wave of sabotage - the near future will show.