Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow since Russia began its full-scale invasion more than four years ago, hitting a major oil refinery, disrupting air traffic across the capital and bringing the conflict deeper into Russian territory.
The overnight assault targeted Moscow and surrounding regions with close to 200 drones, according to Russian authorities. Fires broke out at the Kapotnya oil refinery in the south-east of the capital after several drones penetrated air defences and struck the site. Thick smoke rose above the city as emergency crews responded.
The refinery supplies about 40 per cent of Moscow’s petrol and roughly half of its diesel fuel. According to Reuters, operations at the facility had already been halted following an earlier Ukrainian strike earlier in the week.
Russian officials said air defence systems intercepted hundreds of drones across the country. The Defence Ministry stated that 555 Ukrainian drones and four cruise missiles were destroyed overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said around 180 drones were intercepted near the capital but acknowledged that several reached their targets.
The scale of the attack surprised many residents. Videos shared on social media showed drones crossing the Moscow skyline in daylight, explosions near industrial sites and flames at the refinery. Authorities have restricted publication of strike aftermath images, but footage continued to circulate online.
The Moscow region governor, Andrei Vorobyov, said 16 people were injured. Several residential buildings, private homes and industrial facilities sustained damage. A shopping centre near the refinery also caught fire after debris reportedly fell onto the structure.
The attack caused major disruption to transport across the Russian capital. Moscow’s four airports temporarily suspended operations, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled. Sheremetyevo Airport, the city’s busiest, evacuated passengers and staff as a precaution. Traffic was also halted on sections of Moscow’s ring road near the refinery.
The strike marked the second attack on the facility this week and the third reported attack within a month. Industry sources cited by Reuters said repeated strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have contributed to growing fuel supply pressures. Russia, one of the world’s largest oil producers, is expected to import fuel by sea this month to offset shortages caused by refinery disruptions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy linked the operation to recent Russian attacks on Kyiv. Earlier this week, Russian missile and drone strikes damaged a historic monastery complex in the Ukrainian capital that dates back around a millennium. Ukrainian officials said several people were killed in those attacks and condemned damage to the UNESCO-listed religious site.
Speaking after the latest strikes, Zelenskyy described the attacks on Russian military and energy infrastructure as a response to Russian operations against Ukrainian cities.
Zelenskyy referred to the operation as another example of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions”, a term Ukrainian officials have increasingly used to describe drone strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, addressed residents of Moscow in a message posted on X.
“One of the most popular questions asked by Muscovites this morning is ‘What is going on?'” he wrote. “Your country started a war of aggression against ours.”
Zelenskyy said he had spoken with United States President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders following meetings linked to the G7 summit.
The G7 leaders pledged further support for Ukraine’s air defence systems and discussed additional pressure on Russia’s energy sector through sanctions. Zelenskyy said Ukraine had secured commitments covering missile supplies, defence production and support during the coming winter.
While Moscow was facing the drone attack, Russia launched strikes against Ukraine.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, warned residents that ballistic missiles were approaching the capital and urged people to remain in shelters. Ukrainian authorities said dozens of drones and several missiles were launched overnight.
Officials in Sumy reported one death following a drone strike. Russian-installed authorities in occupied territories also reported casualties from Ukrainian attacks.
HT