Ukraine Drone Strike Hits Moscow Refinery and Forces Airport Closures

Overview

• The drone offensive that struck Moscow on Thursday hit the Kapotnya refinery, sparked large fires, injured civilians and forced the temporary closure and evacuation of the city’s airports.
• Russian officials reported hundreds of drones were used and gave differing intercept totals that ranged from about 180–194 shot down over Moscow to roughly 550–555 across the country.
• Kyiv framed the raids as a justified response to earlier Russian missile strikes on Kyiv this week that damaged the Dormition Cathedral and the Pechersk Lavra and caused civilian casualties.
• Energy sector sources warned that repeated hits on Russian refineries are straining fuel supplies and could push Russia to import fuel by sea to cover shortfalls.
• The attacks raise diplomatic stakes by increasing allied calls for more air‑defence support for Ukraine while Moscow vows continued strikes and tightens information controls.