Ukraine launched a large scale drone attack on Moscow early Thursday, striking a major oil refinery for the second time this week, according to Russian officials.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said several drones hit the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Kapotnya district while air defense systems intercepted more than 40 drones heading toward the capital.
Russian authorities reported damage to residential and commercial properties outside Moscow. An apartment building in Zhukovsky was hit, damaging parts of the structure and several balconies, though no casualties were reported.
Moscow regional Governor Andrey Vorobyov said drone debris also damaged a fitness center, an industrial facility, a shopping center, and a private home in the surrounding region.
In the southern Rostov region, a separate Ukrainian drone strike killed one civilian and injured two others. The attack also damaged a locomotive and sparked fires at two commercial facilities.
The latest strike follows another attack on Tuesday that damaged infrastructure at the same Moscow refinery, highlighting Ukraine’s continued focus on Russian energy targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently said long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory are a key part of Kyiv’s strategy to pressure Moscow and weaken its war effort.
In recent months, Ukraine has expanded drone attacks against Russian oil facilities, military installations, naval bases, and fuel depots, including targets near St. Petersburg.
Analysts say Russia relies heavily on oil exports, which generate roughly one-third of government revenue, making energy infrastructure a significant target in the conflict.
The attacks have also affected fuel supplies in Crimea, where recent disruptions reportedly contributed to fuel shortages and gasoline rationing.
The Moscow strike coincided with meetings between world leaders at the G7 summit in France and discussions among NATO defense ministers on continued military support for Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said allies remain committed to strengthening Ukraine’s defenses, while debates continue over the future scale of U.S. military contributions to European security.