Ukrainian drones hit Moscow’s largest oil refinery, raising security concerns

On Thursday morning, Ukrainian drones hit Moscow’s oil refinery, sending out flames and a pall of smoke over the south-eastern district of Kapotnya.

This marks the second time this week, with videos circulating online showing multiple fires burning across the site of an oil refinery. Residents report that huge columns of black smoke rising from the site are visible across various parts of Moscow.

The city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin said: “Air defense forces are continuing to repel a large-scale attack. Several drones managed to reach the Moscow oil refinery.”

He maintained that about 180 drones heading for the capital had been downed. For those unversed, the initial strike halted operations at the refinery. 

This incident caused major damages to Russian energy facilities in the country. Passengers face difficulties as major fights have been suspended. 

Given the current situation, Russia confirmed that its air defense systems had reportedly intercepted 555 Ukrainian drones across several regions. At present, the actual number could not be completely verified. On social platform X, President Volodymyr Zelensky said: "The attack on the Moscow oil refinery was a fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities."

Subsequently, airstrikes alerts were also issued for most of Ukrainian territory. It is pertinent to mention that the strike on the Moscow Oil refinery deals a major setback to Russia’s war machine and economy, damaging the ELOU-AVT-6 primary oil refining unit.