Ukraine launched a fresh drone strike on a Moscow oil refinery on Thursday, marking the second attack on the facility this week.
The strike triggered large plumes of black smoke and flames over parts of the Russian capital, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended the operation as a “justified response” to recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The latest escalation comes amid continued hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides intensifying military operations despite international calls for dialogue.
Zelensky Defends Attack
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike was a direct response to recent Russian missile and drone attacks that targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
According to Ukrainian officials, one of the recent Russian bombardments damaged civilian and cultural sites, including the historic Dormition Cathedral within the UNESCO-listed Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex.
“This is a fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities, and another important result of our warriors’ work against facilities that sustain Russia’s war machine,” Zelensky said in a statement shared on social media.
He also reiterated calls for diplomacy and urged Russia to return to meaningful negotiations to end the conflict.
Massive Drone Attack Disrupts Moscow
Russian authorities reported intercepting hundreds of Ukrainian drones across multiple regions.
Officials said at least 555 drones were shot down, while nearly 200 were intercepted as they approached Moscow. The scale of the attack has been described as one of the largest Ukrainian drone operations targeting Russian territory since the war began.
The strike caused significant disruptions to air traffic and heightened security concerns across the country.
Moscow Airports Suspend Flights
Following the attack, Russian aviation authorities temporarily suspended operations at all major Moscow airports.
The affected airports included:
- Sheremetyevo International Airport
- Domodedovo International Airport
- Vnukovo International Airport
- Zhukovsky International Airport
Authorities said flight operations would remain restricted until security assessments were completed.
The suspension created delays for domestic and international travellers and underscored the growing impact of drone warfare on civilian infrastructure.
Attack Coincides With Putin’s ASEAN Summit
The drone strike occurred just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to host leaders from Southeast Asian nations in Kazan.
The summit brought together representatives from several ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos also participated in the gathering.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Putin emphasised cooperation between Russia and ASEAN nations and called for a global order based on sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs.
The timing of the attack drew international attention as Russia seeks to strengthen economic partnerships and diplomatic ties while continuing its military campaign in Ukraine.
War Shows No Sign of Slowing
The latest exchange highlights the continuing intensity of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, now entering its fifth year.
While Ukraine has increasingly targeted military and energy infrastructure inside Russia using long-range drones, Moscow continues to launch missile and drone attacks across Ukrainian territory.
Military analysts believe both sides are attempting to increase pressure ahead of any future negotiations, making the prospect of a near-term ceasefire increasingly uncertain.
Global Concerns Grow
The renewed escalation has raised concerns among international observers about regional stability, energy security and civilian safety.
As attacks expand deeper into each side’s territory, governments around the world continue to urge restraint and support diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
For now, however, both Russia and Ukraine appear determined to continue military operations while pursuing strategic and political objectives on multiple fronts.
