MOSCOW — A major oil refinery southeast of Moscow was damaged in a Ukrainian drone strike this week, according to Russian officials, industry sources and statements from Ukraine, in one of the most significant attacks on energy infrastructure near the Russian capital in recent months.
The facility, operated by Gazprom Neft in Moscow’s Kapotnya district, was struck during a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region, Russian authorities said. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that a drone damaged part of the refinery and that emergency services responded to a fire at the site. He said there were no immediate reports of fatalities.
Industry sources told Reuters that the latest strike, reported on Thursday, damaged refining units and triggered multiple fires, marking the second attack on the refinery within the same week. Sources said the damage affected key processing equipment and associated infrastructure, though the full extent of operational disruption remained unclear. Gazprom Neft did not immediately comment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly confirmed that Ukrainian forces had targeted the refinery earlier in the week, describing the operation as a response to continued Russian attacks on Ukraine. “This is a just response to Russian strikes,” Zelenskyy said in a statement released on social media.
The refinery is one of the largest fuel-processing facilities serving Moscow and the surrounding region. Reuters reported that the plant processes about 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day and supplies gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products to the capital.
The attack occurred amid an escalation of long-range drone operations by both sides of the conflict. Russian authorities said hundreds of drones were launched toward Russian territory during the broader assault, while Ukraine has increasingly targeted energy facilities that it says help finance Russia’s military operations.
The strike also prompted concern in fuel markets. Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service said on Thursday it had requested an explanation from a fuel retailer in the Moscow region after gasoline prices rose sharply following reports of refinery damage. Officials said fuel supplies in the capital remained available despite the attacks.
As of Friday, Russian authorities had not released a detailed assessment of the refinery’s condition. Industry sources said repair work was under way, while details regarding the refinery’s current operating capacity remained unclear.
