Ukraine Drone Strike Hits Moscow Refinery, Grounds Flights Across Capital

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone assaults on Russia’s capital, striking a key oil refinery and disrupting commercial aviation , Russian officials said on Thursday.

The Russian Defence Ministry said air defences intercepted 555 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions, including nearly 200 approaching Moscow.

Despite interceptions, several drones hit the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya, marking the second strike on the facility within a week.

The attack forced temporary suspension of operations at four Moscow airports , triggering widespread delays, diversions and cancellations before partial restoration.

Moscow authorities reported at least 16 injuries in the region, mostly caused by falling debris from intercepted drones.

Officials said the scale of the raid reflected a coordinated multi-region campaign extending beyond the capital, with drones also intercepted across western and southern Russia.

Analysts note that Ukraine’s strategy increasingly targets Russia’s energy infrastructure, with dozens of refinery strikes reported across the country since early 2025, including facilities in St Petersburg, Tatarstan and the Rostov region.

The Moscow refinery, a key fuel supplier to the capital, was again engulfed in fire and smoke, underscoring vulnerabilities in Russia’s air defence network.

In parallel, Ukraine’s Defence Minister said Crimea will turn into an island , signalling intensified efforts to isolate Russian-controlled territory through strikes on supply routes and infrastructure.

The Kremlin said the latest Ukrainian attacks have set back prospects for a Putin–Zelenskyy meeting , arguing that escalation is undermining diplomatic momentum.

Ukrainian officials described the operation as retaliation for Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly defended deep-strike operations as necessary pressure on Moscow.