Which targets were targeted by Ukraine in the latest drone attack on Moscow? How many Ukrainian drones does Russia claim to have shot down? How much damage did Russia suffer from the attack on Moscow oil refinery? Why is Gazprom Neft Refinery important for Russia? Is this the largest-ever Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow?
An interim agreement had just been reached between Iran and America regarding the war that has been going on for the last 110 days in the Middle East, when on the other hand, Ukraine created havoc by heavily bombarding the Russian capital Moscow. After the massive drone attack by Ukraine, plumes of fire and smoke were seen rising from many areas of the capital Moscow. Moscow’s important oil refineries were also targeted in this attack, while flight operations at many airports had to be temporarily stopped. According to Russian officials, this is the second attack on a Moscow oil refinery within a week. This is considered to be one of the biggest drone attacks on the capital Moscow since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Attack on Moscow oil refinery, massive fire broke out after the explosion
After the drone attack, there was a massive explosion in Moscow’s oil refinery. After this, high flames and thick black smoke were seen several kilometers away. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defense systems shot down 555 Ukrainian drones in various parts of the country overnight. Of these, about 200 drones were stopped around Moscow. However, many drones were successful in penetrating the security cordon and targeted important locations in the capital.
Russia’s air defense system could not stop all drones
According to Russian officials, the air defense system deployed in Moscow destroyed a large number of drones, but it was not possible to stop them all. Major shopping complexes such as Sadovod and Belaya Dacha and some residential buildings were damaged in the attack. Incidents of fire were reported in many areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also shared some videos related to the attack on social media platform X.
What did the mayor of Moscow say?
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that several drones hit the Moscow Oil Refinery located in the south-eastern part of the capital. According to him, the main target of the attack was the oil refinery and its associated infrastructure.
Gazprom Neft Refinery suffered the most damage
According to reports, Gazprom Neft’s refinery suffered the most damage in the attack. This plant is one of the largest fuel supplying plants in the Moscow region. It is reported that after the first attack on June 16, a second attack was carried out on June 18. During this period, storage tanks, crude oil processing units and diesel hydrotreating units have been damaged. After the fire, black smoke spread in the entire area.
Flights stopped at four major airports in Moscow
Russia’s Transport Ministry said that due to security reasons, flight operations at four major airports in Moscow were temporarily stopped. These include major airports like Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo. Hundreds of passengers and flights were affected due to the grounding of flights. After the attack, continuous sounds of explosions were heard in many areas. Due to smoke and fire, there was darkness in some parts of the city even during the day. An atmosphere of fear and uncertainty was seen among the local people.
The attack took place hours after Zelensky’s statement
The attack came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had held an important coordination meeting with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelensky claimed that this conversation could bring major changes for Ukraine. He also said that Ukraine had received important assurances of additional assistance from world leaders attending the G7 summit held in France.
Assured of support to Ukraine in G7 meeting
While leaving the Versailles Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron told journalists that the last few days have been very important for Ukraine. He said that solidarity among G7 countries regarding Ukraine has strengthened and Western countries will continue to support Ukraine. According to Macron, the allies will continue to help Ukraine increase its defense capability and retaliatory power.
President Putin is busy in ASEAN meeting
The attack comes at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin is present in the city of Kazan, about 700 kilometers from Moscow. He is hosting the leaders of ASEAN, the organization of South-East Asian countries. Russia is trying to strengthen trade and strategic relations through this platform.
Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership also discussed
According to Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, measures to strengthen the strategic partnership between Russia and ASEAN countries are being discussed in the two-day meeting. The countries participating in the meeting are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam. Meanwhile, this major attack on Moscow is being seen as a new and serious turn in the Russia-Ukraine war, which has raised many questions regarding the security system and energy infrastructure of the capital.