Ukraine Strikes Moscow Oil Refinery in Major Drone Assault, Disrupting Flights and Fuel Infrastructure
Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on the Russian capital since the start of the war, striking a major oil refinery in Moscow and causing significant disruptions to air traffic and fuel infrastructure, according to Russian officials.
The overnight attack targeted the Moscow oil refinery, a critical fuel supplier for the Russian capital, marking the second strike on the facility within a week. Large fires broke out at the site, sending thick black smoke over parts of the city while emergency crews worked to contain the blaze. Russian authorities reported injuries and damage to several buildings in and around Moscow.
The assault also forced temporary flight suspensions and delays at four Moscow-area airports, highlighting Ukraine’s growing ability to project force deep inside Russian territory. Russian officials said hundreds of drones were intercepted during the attack, though several managed to penetrate air defenses and reach their intended targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the operation as part of Kyiv’s ongoing strategy to target Russia’s war-supporting infrastructure. Ukraine has increasingly focused on refineries, fuel depots, and energy facilities in an effort to reduce Moscow’s revenue streams and complicate military logistics.
The latest strike comes amid a broader Ukrainian campaign against Russia’s energy sector. Recent attacks on refineries and fuel supply routes have contributed to localized fuel shortages and declining oil output, according to industry assessments. The International Energy Agency recently reported that repeated attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have helped push the country’s oil production below planned targets.
The escalation follows a series of intense exchanges between the two countries. Earlier this week, Russia launched a massive missile and drone barrage across Ukraine that damaged civilian infrastructure, including a historic cathedral in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials have linked their long-range strikes to efforts to pressure the Kremlin into negotiations while responding to ongoing Russian attacks.
Despite continued diplomatic discussions involving Western allies, prospects for a near-term peace agreement remain uncertain. The latest attacks underscore the increasingly strategic nature of the air war, with both sides targeting infrastructure far from the front lines in an effort to weaken each other’s economic and military capabilities.
