The north-western Yaroslavl region of Russia woke up under attack by Ukrainian drones. Local authorities decided to close the exit from Yaroslavl towards Moscow - a preventive measure that signals the war is no longer fought only on the front, but also hundreds of kilometres deep inside Russian territory.

The regional governor Mikhail Evraev with an official message: "For safety reasons, vehicle movement is closed on the exit from Yaroslavl towards Moscow - at the intersection of Moskovsky Prospect with the south-west ring." Citizens have been advised to use alternative routes and to avoid the area until they receive an official signal.

At the same time, temporary restrictions were introduced at airports in Yaroslavl and Ivanovo. Russian air defence announced that during the night they intercepted several drones moving towards Moscow. As is typical for such announcements - no numbers, no confirmed damage, no casualties. There is only the message.

What does this mean? That Ukraine no longer just has the option of hitting military bases on the front - its drones now reach industrial and transport hubs in central Russia. That matters for all the Balkan countries watching how the war is going - and for anyone trying to understand where the balance is shifting.

Closing the road to Moscow is at least as symbolic as it is tactical. When regions 250-300 kilometres from the capital have to introduce road traffic restrictions, it is no longer an incident. That is the new normal for Russia - and they, unlike the official statements claim, are not used to living in it.