Large-scale UAV attack in Moscow: Fire breaks out at refinery, airports closed

During the night, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Ukraine targeted an oil refinery located in the Kapotnya district of Moscow. The attack resulted in a major fire at the facility. Columns of smoke rising from various parts of the city were shared on social media, causing panic among citizens. It was noted that this was the second operation carried out against the same facility in the last two days, and it was alleged that the refinery suspended its operations following the incident.

FLIGHT CHAOS AT AIRPORTS

Following the attacks, flights at Moscow's Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports were temporarily suspended. Passengers at Sheremetyevo Airport were evacuated for security reasons, and many were kept in parking areas. Authorities stated that traffic on the ring road near the refinery was also completely halted.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed that approximately 180 UAVs were directed at Moscow during the attack, stating, "Our air defense systems continue to repel the large-scale attack. However, some drones managed to reach the Moscow Oil Refinery."

Russian officials reported that at least seven UAVs bypassed defense systems and reached critical points in the capital. Damage occurred to numerous structures and facilities, including the Sadovod shopping center and high-rise buildings in the Zhukovsky area.

A statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense indicated that a total of 555 Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed across different regions of the country. It was noted that this attack followed recent missile and drone strikes carried out by Russia against Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously warned that "systematic attacks" would be carried out against Ukraine.

Reports have also emerged that Russia, one of the world's leading oil producers, is preparing to import fuel by sea this month to cover the energy deficit caused by the increasing attacks on refineries.

LOSS OF LIFE IN UKRAINE AND ON RUSSIAN SOIL

The attacks caused casualties not only in Moscow but also in border regions of Ukraine and Russia. One person lost their life in a UAV attack in the city of Sumy, and a death also occurred in the city of Enerhodar, where employees of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are concentrated. Attacks carried out in Russia's Belgorod and Rostov regions also resulted in loss of life and fires at facilities.

The Moscow administration also accused Ukraine of targeting a bus carrying Belarusian children. The Kyiv administration categorically denied these accusations.

As the air war between the two countries escalates further, tensions in the region are not expected to subside.