Ukrainian drones targeted power plants and a refinery near Moscow, causing fires, while Russian air defense destroyed over 150 drones across various regions, according to Russian officials.
In a series of escalating drone attacks, Ukraine targeted key energy infrastructure near Moscow, including a refinery and power plants, leading to fires and widespread damage, according to Russian officials. The attacks come as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine enters a critical phase, with both nations intensifying their military operations.
The Moscow Oil Refinery and the Konakovo Power Station in the Tver region, one of central Russia’s largest energy producers, were among the facilities hit by drone debris. The attacks sparked fires, though Russian emergency services later reported that the blazes had been contained. The Russian defense ministry confirmed that 158 drones launched by Ukraine overnight were destroyed, including nine over Moscow and its surrounding areas.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that several drones targeted the Moscow refinery, igniting a fire in a “separate technical room” at the plant. Despite the damage, the situation was reportedly brought under control. TASS, a state news agency, quoted emergency services as saying that the fire had been contained.
The attacks also led to temporary restrictions at Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports, which were lifted on Sunday morning, according to aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia.
These drone attacks come as the nearly three-year-old war reaches a critical juncture. Russia continues its offensive in eastern Ukraine while attempting to repel Ukrainian forces that recently broke through its western border. Last week, Russia conducted its heaviest airstrikes of the war, targeting energy facilities across Ukraine.
Ukraine, bolstered by its rapidly growing domestic drone industry, has stepped up its own attacks on Russian energy, military, and transport infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s administration is pressing the United States for more powerful Western-supplied weapons to enhance their capability to strike deeper into Russian territory.
The refinery hit near Moscow is owned by Gazprom Neft, the oil subsidiary of Russian gas giant Gazprom. The company has declined to comment on the incident.
Meanwhile, the Baza Telegram news channel, which is known for its close ties to Russia’s security services, reported loud explosions near the Konakovo power plant in Tver region. Tver Governor Igor Rudenya confirmed a fire in the town of Konakovo but assured that electricity and gas supplies were uninterrupted. The exact cause of the fire remains undisclosed.
In addition to these strikes, Ukraine also attempted to target the Kashira Power Plant in the Moscow region with three drones. According to Mikhail Shuvalov, head of the Kashira city district, there was no fire, damage, or casualties as a result of the attack, and electricity supply remains stable.
The Russian defense ministry reported that 46 drones were destroyed over the Kursk region, 34 over Bryansk, 28 over Voronezh, and 14 over Belgorod. Additional drones were downed over Kaluga, Lipetsk, Ryazan, and several other Russian regions. Preliminary information suggests that there were no injuries from these attacks.
As both sides intensify their military efforts, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation in the conflict.
