Ukraine launched a large-scale drone swarm attack involving over 300 drones primarily targeting Moscow, with additional strikes on Russian-occupied Crimea and regions like Pskov. Russian sources reported active air defenses in the Moscow region, leading to over 50 flight delays at Vnukovo airport. The attack is described as larger than usual.
Ukraine launched a slew of aerial drones into Moscow, striking an oil refinery and disrupting air traffic in what appears to be the largest Ukrainian attack against Russia’s capital city.
The attacks are part of a monthslong Ukrainian campaign which has targeted key Russian oil infrastructure miles away from the front lines of the war.
Officials said that drones had attacked the Moscow Oil Refinery, the largest fuel supplier to the Moscow region, located roughly 15 miles from the Kremlin. The refinery is essential to the city’s energy infrastructure, processing 11.6 tons of oil in 2024, according to the most recent data.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the incident as a massive drone attack on the Russian capital, claiming that 180 drones had been “shot down on their approach to Moscow.” The Russian Defense Ministry said it stopped over 550 drones in total, with several drones reaching the refinery and sending smoke billowing into the air, according to social media videos. Moscow’s four airports were shut down in response, with most gradually reopening early Thursday.
According to local officials, Ukrainian drones damaged Moscow’s largest open-air market and closed one of the city’s largest shopping malls. A drone also struck a high-rise residential building in the suburb of Zhukovsky, according to local officials.
Russia imports oil from India and Kazakhstan
Due to fuel shortages, several regions of Russia have already introduced restrictions on fuel sales, including the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, which accounts for around 40% of the country’s oil production.
To partially compensate for the shortfall, Russia has asked Kazakhstan to supply 50,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline. The Russian authorities have also officially authorized fuel imports to cover domestic demand.
Two Indian tankers carrying gasoline are already on their way to Russia
Russia has begun importing gasoline by sea from India to ease the impact of fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes on its energy infrastructure, according to Reuters.
The agency notes that due to fuel shortages in Russia, rationing has been introduced, long queues have formed at filling stations, and gasoline prices have risen to record levels.
On June 30, Russia said it was maintaining contacts with other countries and discussing fuel imports at acceptable prices.
An industry source said that at least 60,000 metric tons of gasoline had been shipped from India to Russia. Another source said two tankers were sent, each carrying between 30,000 and 40,000 tons.
A third source said Russia is planning to import a total of 400,000 tons of gasoline per month from various countries, including neighboring Belarus, which is already exporting fuel to Russia.
It is noted that gasoline consumption in Russia is at least 110,000 tons per day in summer, when demand is high. Reuters added that it is currently unknown which Indian refinery company will supply gasoline to Russia.
Russia’s fuel market has faced serious difficulties following a series of Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries. Against this backdrop, gasoline prices in the country have recorded their sharpest increase in 20 years.
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