Vladimir Putin faced a significant setback when a large-scale drone attack targeted the primary oil refinery in Moscow, leading to the closure of the city’s main airports. The Kapotnya Oil Refinery, located just ten miles from the Kremlin, was engulfed in flames, causing smoke to spread across the city as drones bypassed strengthened air defenses in the Russian capital. This attack, coinciding with the G7 summit in France, dealt a severe blow to the Kremlin.
The strike, part of an ongoing campaign targeting oil facilities in Ukraine, is beginning to impact the Russian economy, casting doubts on Putin’s control over Crimea. The disruption led to the suspension of flights at all major Moscow airports, including Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky, resulting in travel chaos.
This assault marked one of the most intense drone attacks on Moscow during the prolonged conflict. The incident occurred as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that Putin had rejected a peace negotiation proposal ahead of the G7 summit. Efforts to arrange a meeting involving democratic nations at the summit were also rebuffed by the Russian leader.
Although Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that around 60 drones had been intercepted, damage to the refinery was evident, although no casualties were reported. The Kapotnya refinery, a key supplier of fuel to Moscow and its neighboring regions, suffered a blow despite recent enhancements to the city’s air defenses.
The ongoing strikes by Ukraine on Russia’s oil infrastructure are beginning to impact the Russian economy, leading to fuel shortages in multiple regions. The disruption has even hindered fuel supplies to Crimea and other occupied territories, exacerbating the situation. The relentless attacks have left farmers in Siberia facing fuel shortages for their harvest, underscoring the growing challenges facing Russia amid the conflict.