Moscow — In one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia's capital since the full-scale invasion began, waves of unmanned aerial vehicles struck deep into Moscow early Thursday, sparking massive fires at a critical oil refinery and forcing the shutdown of major airports amid widespread disruption.
Thick black smoke billowed over the southeastern Kapotnya district after Ukrainian drones slammed into the Moscow Oil Refinery, a vital facility supplying a significant portion of the region's fuel, for the second time in days. Russian officials reported intercepting nearly 200 drones targeting the capital alone, with claims of more than 550 downed nationwide, but several broke through layered defenses, igniting blazes and scattering debris.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed damage to the refinery and said a shopping center was also hit. Local authorities reported at least 17 people injured in the Moscow region, including from falling debris, as panicked residents shared videos of orange flames lighting up the night sky and explosions echoing across the city.
Flights were suspended at several airports, including Russia's largest, as air defenses scrambled to respond. The strikes came as part of Kyiv's intensified campaign to target Russian energy infrastructure, which has already caused widespread fuel shortages and economic headaches for the Kremlin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the operation as a "justified response" to recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a strike that damaged a historic monastery complex. In pointed remarks, he warned that continued Russian aggression would bring more pain to Moscow, stating it was "time the war ended" on terms favorable to Ukraine.
The assault highlights Ukraine's growing long-range strike capabilities, even as Russian forces continue their grinding advances in eastern Ukraine. Critics of unchecked U.S. aid to Kyiv have long warned that such escalations risk drawing the conflict closer to a dangerous tipping point, with Moscow's massive population now feeling the direct heat of the war.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses repelled the bulk of the assault, but the visible fires and airport chaos tell a story of vulnerabilities in even the most heavily protected areas near the Kremlin. Videos circulating online showed plumes of smoke rising over industrial sites and residential areas, with residents describing the acrid smell of burning fuel hanging in the air.
This latest barrage adds to a pattern of Ukrainian deep strikes on Russian oil facilities, which have halved processing capacity at some plants and fueled domestic shortages. As the conflict drags into its fifth year, both sides show no signs of backing down, raising fresh concerns about broader regional stability and the costs borne by civilians on all sides.
