Ukraine launched its second drone attack on the Moscow Oil Refinery this week, marking another significant escalation in Ukraine's campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. According to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin's Telegram posts, air defenses intercepted over 50 drones approaching the capital, but 'several' managed to strike the refinery in what he called a 'massive' attack. The latest strike follows Ukraine's largest drone offensive on Moscow since the full-scale war began, which targeted the same refinery just 15 kilometers from the Kremlin in the southeastern district of Kapotnya. Video footage circulating on social media appears to show an enormous explosion and major fire at the scene, with emergency services attending attack sites around the city as reported by Sobyanin. As per Reuters, a witness saw flames and plumes of smoke over the southeastern district where the refinery is located.
Ukraine's latest attack represents part of a 'just' campaign of 'long-range sanctions' against Moscow, as described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Zelenskyy's official X account, the operation was executed by Ukraine's defence and security agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Unmanned Systems Forces, Special Operations Forces, Defence Intelligence and a missile brigade. Andrey Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, confirmed that a fire caused by drone debris also broke out at a shopping centre in the southeast of Moscow and that another drone struck an apartment building in Zhukovsky, damaging part of a fire escape. Zelenskyy shared video footage showing the aftermath of the strikes and confirmed that targets were also struck in the Rostov region and in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The attack is the second in just a few days after a drone strike on Tuesday halted operations at the refinery, adding to widespread damage to Russian energy facilities and extending a fuel crisis deeper into the country.
The attack had significant impact on Moscow residents living near the refinery complex and caused widespread disruption across the city. CNN spoke to residents of southeastern Moscow who described waking up to explosions, heavy smoke and a strong smell of burning in the early hours of Thursday. 25-year-old Natalya Klimova from Maryino described hearing at least 10 loud explosions and running to the bathroom for safety, with the building appearing to tremble. In the surrounding Moscow region, a high-rise residential building, an industrial facility and a number of private houses were also damaged in the drone attack, according to the regional governor. The Sheremetyevo airport, Moscow's busiest, suspended flights and evacuated people during the attack, with some seeking shelter in the parking area, though restrictions were later lifted. The attack demonstrates the dramatically improved drone capabilities Ukraine has developed since Russia's full-scale invasion began more than four years ago.
Russia fired back at Ukraine with seven missiles and 239 drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, with the attack striking a private home, an energy infrastructure facility, a hangar, and oil facilities in both the Kyiv and Poltava regions. The Moscow Oil Refinery was specifically targeted for the second time this week, representing an escalation in Ukraine's infrastructure warfare strategy against Russian energy infrastructure. Flames and plumes of smoke filled the sky after the latest attack, with the refinery sustaining significant damage. As per Reuters, Russia is set to import fuel by sea this month as it seeks to manage a gasoline shortage following extensive Ukrainian drone attacks on its refineries. This dual targeting strategy demonstrates Ukraine's comprehensive approach to attacking both strategic energy infrastructure and civilian residential areas in Moscow.
While the Moscow refinery was under drone attack, Kyiv came under the second air attack this week as Russia unleashed ballistic missiles on the Ukrainian capital. Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, said in a Telegram post early on Thursday: 'The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles. Stay in safe places until the air raid alert is over!' A Reuters witness heard explosions in Kyiv, and authorities in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy said one person was killed in a drone attack. Air strike alerts were issued for most of Ukraine's territory. Earlier this week, a major attack on Kyiv by Russia killed 10 people and damaged a 1,000-year-old monastery that symbolises Ukraine's spiritual and cultural heritage, drawing condemnation from European leaders. Russia denied striking the monastery.
