Ukraine Launches Major Drone Offensive on Moscow Refinery as Zelenskyy Seeks International Support to End War

Ukraine conducted one of its largest drone attacks on Russian targets in two years on Thursday, striking the Moscow Oil Refinery for the second time in a week and forcing the suspension of commercial flights at major airports. Russian air defenses reported intercepting 555 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions overnight, with nearly 200 shot down as they approached the capital, according to the Defence Ministry. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that several drones successfully hit the oil refinery in the city's southeastern Kapotnya district, causing significant damage and fires visible in geolocated video footage.

The strike is part of Ukraine's escalating strategy to target Russian energy infrastructure, a sector that supplies approximately one-third of Russia's state budget revenue. The attack disrupted flights at four major Moscow airports, including Sheremetyevo, and caused damage to civilian infrastructure including apartment buildings and a shopping center. In response, Russia fired seven missiles and 239 drones at Ukrainian targets, striking energy facilities and other infrastructure in the Kyiv and Poltava regions, according to Ukrainian sources. Kyiv came under attack for the second time that week, with Russian missiles targeting the capital and damaging a UNESCO-listed 1,000-year-old monastery.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy framed the offensive as a justified response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities, describing it as evidence of Ukraine's precision strike capabilities. The timing coincided with Zelenskyy's diplomatic efforts at NATO and European Council meetings in Brussels, where he secured pledges from G7 leaders to strengthen air defense capabilities and increase sanctions pressure on Russia's oil and gas sectors. Zelenskyy reported receiving commitments for additional air defense missiles with production licenses and winter support packages, with the United States pledging to provide backstop support across these initiatives.

The offensive comes at a critical juncture in diplomatic efforts to end the war, now in its fifth year. U.S. President Donald Trump has called for a negotiated settlement, stating that both Russia and Ukraine have suffered tremendous losses. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte cited Russian monthly losses at 30,000-35,000 personnel and emphasized ongoing discussions to ensure Ukraine has necessary weapons systems and missile interceptors. The attacks underscore Ukraine's capacity to strike deep into Russian territory while Zelenskyy pressures Moscow to negotiate by demonstrating Ukraine's military capability and international backing.