A Ukrainian drone strikes a strategic refinery near Moscow, increasing pressure on Russia's energy sector

A Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at one of the largest oil refineries in the Moscow region, illustrating Kyiv's escalating campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. The incident comes as several regions of the country are already experiencing fuel shortages.

According to local authorities, the drone damaged a facility at the Gazprom Neft refinery. A fire broke out at the site but was quickly brought under control by emergency services. They indicated that production was not interrupted despite the damage to the infrastructure.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that a facility at the refinery had been hit, without providing further details. The plant, which has been targeted several times since the start of the conflict, is considered the largest refinery in the Moscow region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky He claimed the target was located approximately 500 kilometers from Ukrainian territory, asserting that the strike demonstrated the long-range capabilities of the Ukrainian army. On the social network X, he presented the attack as a response to Russian bombing and the continuation of the war.

Since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian strikes against Russian refineries have increased significantly. According to official data and analyses reported by Reuters, the number of attacks has doubled compared to the previous period, causing partial or complete shutdowns of some facilities and a decrease in the production of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.

The targeted refinery processed 11,6 million tons of oil in 2024, producing 2,9 million tons of gasoline and 3,2 million tons of diesel. Meanwhile, the Tatneft oil group announced the implementation of nationwide fuel purchase caps, a sign of the growing tensions affecting the Russian market.

While Russian authorities continue to describe the disruptions observed in several regions as mere local difficulties, the accumulation of attacks on energy infrastructure appears to be putting increasing strain on fuel supplies and on a sector essential to financing Moscow's war effort.