Russian Air Defences Intercept 32 Ukrainian Drones Over Moscow, Oil Refinery Struck
A Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region resulted in two casualties and damage to an oil refinery, according to Russian authorities. The Russian Defence Ministry stated that air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 32 drones over the Smolensk, Moscow, and Orel regions in the early hours.
Initial reports from the governor of the Smolensk region, Vasily Anokhin, indicated that a drone strike caused a fire at an oil depot. Subsequently, the Russian Defence Ministry specified that the attack targeted the Rosneft Yartsevo oil depot in the Smolensk region, leading to explosions and a significant fire. Two individuals were reportedly killed in the incident, though details regarding their identities or the exact circumstances of their deaths remain unclear.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that air defence units neutralised several drones attempting to approach the city. Flights were temporarily halted at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports, standard procedure during such aerial threats, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of Russian infrastructure to these assaults. The incident marks another instance of Ukrainian forces targeting facilities deep within Russian territory, a strategic move interpreted as an attempt to disrupt Russian logistics and project operational reach.
