Explosions, burning refinery facilities and hundreds of disrupted flights: A major Ukrainian drone attack has once again brought the war deep into the heart of Russia. Particularly significant is the reported strike on Moscow’s most important oil refinery — the second attack on the facility within just a few days.
Moscow faced one of the most serious drone attacks on the Russian capital since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Dozens of unmanned aircraft reportedly approached the city and the surrounding region, triggering air-defence operations and temporary restrictions at several airports.
Black smoke was seen rising above the Moscow Oil Refinery in the south-eastern district of Kapotnya. According to reports, parts of the facility, pipelines and storage infrastructure were damaged, while fires broke out across the industrial site.
The refinery plays a major role in supplying fuel to the Russian capital and the wider metropolitan region. It had reportedly already been damaged in an earlier attack, temporarily affecting operations. The latest strike therefore appears to have targeted a facility that was still undergoing repairs and attempting to restore production.
Residential areas were also affected. Authorities reported injuries in the Moscow region, while falling debris and explosions damaged buildings and vehicles. Flight operations at four Moscow airports were temporarily restricted, leading to widespread delays and cancellations.
The attack highlights how the geographical scope of the war continues to expand. While Russia regularly launches missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, Kyiv has increasingly relied on long-range attacks against energy facilities, military sites and infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.
For the Kremlin, the impact is not only economic. Images of smoke and fire near the Russian capital carry enormous symbolic weight. Moscow, long presented as largely protected from the consequences of the war, is now experiencing those consequences increasingly close to home.