Ukraine launched an extensive drone assault on Moscow and its surrounding regions on the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections, resulting in at least three fatalities and significant damage to an oil refinery, according to Russian officials. The attack, which targeted key energy and logistics infrastructure, marked a pivotal escalation in Ukraine’s use of long-range drones and domestically produced weapons to strike deep within Russian territory.
Sergei Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow, reported that over 1,600 drones had been intercepted since the weekend, with approximately 450 aimed at the capital city. Despite these defenses, several drones managed to hit the Moscow Oil Refinery, and a residential building in the Moscow region was damaged, prompting the evacuation of around 400 residents from a 21-storey apartment complex.
The drone attack coincided with Russia’s conclusion of its first parliamentary elections since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian authorities accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the electoral process, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two nations. Meanwhile, Kyiv has continued its strategic focus on targeting Russian military and energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the strikes, emphasizing that they were directed at critical Russian energy and logistics sites. This approach underscores Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to undermine Russia’s operational capabilities and infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector.
Emergency services were swiftly deployed to manage the aftermath of the attack, including addressing the casualties and securing affected areas. This development underscores the growing intensity of the conflict and the increasing sophistication of Ukraine’s military tactics.