Ukraine launched the largest reported drone attack so far against the Moscow region, in an offensive that left at least two people dead, several injured, and damage to one of the main oil facilities in the Russian capital, according to authorities. The attack occurred while Russia was celebrating the last day of its parliamentary elections and amid a new escalation of attacks on energy infrastructure.
The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, stated that Russian forces shot down more than 1,600 drones since Saturday, including about 450 that were heading towards the capital. The official described the offensive as an ''unprecedented'' attack and claimed its goal was to disrupt the election process. According to Sobyanin, Russian authorities managed to thwart that alleged purpose.
Several drones hit the facilities of the Moscow refinery, while another struck a residential building. Witnesses cited by the media reported explosions and columns of smoke coming from the area of the oil plant.
The governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobiov, confirmed two fatalities. A 44-year-old woman died after a drone hit a three-story residential building in Sofyino, south of the capital. Five other people, including two children, were injured. In the Orekhovo-Zuevo district, an elderly man died when a drone struck a private home.
Additionally, about 400 people, including 70 children, were evacuated from a 21-story building in the Ramenskoye district. Several homes suffered damage as a result of the offensive.
The Moscow refinery constitutes a target of strategic importance. The plant processed 11.6 million metric tons of oil in 2024 and produced around 2.9 million tons of gasoline and 3.2 million tons of diesel. Ukraine claims that the facility supplies more than a third of the fuel used in the Moscow region and that some of its products, including aviation fuel and diesel, are intended for the Russian armed forces.
The governor of Moscow confirmed two fatalities and significant damage to residential buildings and energy infrastructure
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that Kiev's forces attacked a key oil facility and a logistics center in the Moscow region. According to the president, the operations affect economic resources used to sustain the Russian military machine. Ukrainian officials also stated that three important units of the refinery were damaged.
Attacks on energy facilities have become a central part of the strategy for both sides. Ukraine has repeatedly attacked refineries, depots, and other centers linked to Russian energy supply, while Moscow continues to strike power generation and transportation facilities in Ukrainian territory.
The offensives have also had consequences for the Russian domestic market. Ukrainian attacks have reduced part of the country's refining capacity, contributing to supply issues, increases in fuel prices, and long lines at gas stations in various regions.
The Ukrainian leader stated that the attack on the energy infrastructure represents a significant blow to Russian military logistics
The new offensive occurred despite the fact that U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacks on energy infrastructure. However, both sides have continued to carry out such operations over the past week.
In parallel, Russia carried out new attacks against Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities reported nine deaths, including three children, during offensives recorded in the Kyiv and Sumy regions. In Fastiv, a mother and her two children died in a Russian attack. In the Sumy region, four people died when a drone struck the vehicle they were traveling in.
Russia also attacked a monastery in the Kherson region, where one member of the clergy died and four other people were injured.
U.S. President Donald Trump had expressed that Ukraine and Russia agreed to reduce their attacks on logistical infrastructure
The offensive against Moscow also had repercussions on air transport. Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports imposed temporary restrictions during the night, although operations were later restored and authorities warned of possible delays.
The attack coincided with the last day of the Russian parliamentary elections, a process controlled by the Kremlin that has been questioned by critics for lacking conditions considered free, transparent, and competitive. At the same time, the United States intensified its economic pressure on Moscow: Trump signed legislation allowing imposing tariffs of up to 100% on large buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India.
