Ukrainian drones and missiles target Moscow, oil refinery in deadly attack: Officials
Ukrainian Drones and Missiles Target Moscow Refinery
Tyunews.com – Ukrainian drones and missiles target Moscow in a major overnight attack that reached the Russian capital’s oil refinery area and damaged residential sites across the wider Moscow region, according to Russian and Ukrainian officials.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin called the assault unprecedented, saying 450 Ukrainian drones were destroyed while approaching the capital from Saturday night into Sunday morning. He said several drones reached the Moscow Oil Refinery and another hit a residential building, though he reported no deaths within Moscow itself.
“Several drones did reach the territory of the Moscow Oil Refinery, and one hit a residential building. There were no fatalities,” Sobyanin wrote.
Sobyanin also said the operation may have been intended to disrupt Russia’s parliamentary elections, whose voting period was scheduled to end Sunday.
Moscow Oil Refinery Among Targets
The Gazprom-MNPZ refinery, southeast of central Moscow, is operated by the state energy company Gazprom. The facility has an estimated annual oil-processing capacity of about 11 million tons and is one of Russia’s largest refineries, supplying fuel to the capital region.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Counter-Disinformation Center under the National Security and Defense Council, said a major incident was unfolding at the refinery. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the overnight operation had a significant effect in the Moscow region and struck an important Russian oil-sector asset.
Zelenskyy said the refinery helps fund Russia’s military campaign. He argued that Moscow should end the war rather than continue expanding air-defense systems around the capital while other Russian regions remain more exposed.
“Moscow must end its brutal war and choose peace instead of building layered rings of air defense at the expense of other regions,” Zelenskyy wrote.
The Ukrainian drones and missiles target operation included several types of long-range weapons, Zelenskyy said. These included Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missile and Pelican ballistic missile. The Pelican’s use appeared to be its first known deployment in an attack on Russian territory.
Fire Point, the Ukrainian manufacturer of the two systems as well as longer-range drones and missiles, said its FP-1 drones participated in the strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery.
Deaths, Injuries and Fires Reported Around Moscow
The attack caused casualties outside Moscow’s city limits. Moscow region Governor Andrey Vorobyov said one person died and five people were injured after a drone struck an apartment building in Sofino, southwest of Moscow. He said another person was killed in the Orekhovo-Zuevsky area east of the capital.
One person was also injured in the Leninsky district south of Moscow. Vorobyov said the total number of people injured in the attacks was 20.
Authorities reported damage and fires in several communities. In the Ramensky district, southwest of Moscow, a fire at an apartment building prompted the evacuation of 400 people and damaged 20 vehicles. Vorobyov also reported a warehouse fire in Sofino and a serious apartment-building blaze in Kotelniki, southeast of the capital.
The wide geographic spread of the incidents highlighted the risks associated with large drone barrages. Even when air defenses intercept incoming weapons, debris and drones that evade interception can threaten residents, infrastructure and transport across a large area.
Moscow Airports Face Temporary Restrictions
All four of Moscow’s international airports faced temporary overnight flight restrictions: Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo. Russia’s federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsiya, lifted the restrictions Sunday morning.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces destroyed 1,110 Ukrainian drones overnight, the largest overnight total it has publicly announced. The Ukrainian drones and missiles target campaign placed pressure on Russian air defenses across multiple regions, according to the ministry’s figure.
Russia Launches Separate Attack on Ukraine
Ukraine also faced a separate overnight aerial assault. Its air force said Russia launched 138 drones, with 101 intercepted or otherwise suppressed. About half of the drones used in that attack were jet-powered, the air force said.
FAQ: Moscow Region Attack
What was targeted in the Moscow region?
Officials said drones reached the Moscow Oil Refinery area, while residential buildings, a warehouse and vehicles were also damaged in communities around the capital.
Were Moscow airports closed?
Temporary overnight restrictions affected Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo airports. Rosaviatsiya said the restrictions were lifted Sunday morning.
How many casualties were reported?
Moscow region Governor Andrey Vorobyov reported two deaths and said 20 people were injured across the region. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said there were no fatalities inside Moscow itself.
