Ukraine struck a Moscow-area oil refinery and forced a hours-long shutdown of the Russian capital's airports Wednesday in what appears to be the largest drone assault on Moscow since the war began in February 2022.
Fires broke out at the refinery after drones penetrated Moscow's air-defence perimeter, the Wail confirmed from multiple published reports. Russian emergency services were deployed to the site.
All of Moscow's major civilian airports suspended operations for several hours as air-defence systems engaged the incoming wave, stranding passengers and diverting inbound flights. Operations resumed later in the day.
Russian officials acknowledged the attack and reported that air-defence units intercepted a significant number of drones before they reached the city centre. The precise number of aircraft launched by Ukraine had not been officially confirmed as of filing.
The strike lands as front-line fighting continues across eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have not formally commented on the operation, consistent with their standard practice of declining to confirm long-range strikes.
Analysts told the Wail the assault signals a deliberate Ukrainian push to degrade Russian fuel supply infrastructure ahead of anticipated summer ground operations.
Further details on damage assessment are expected from Russian authorities Thursday. Ukraine's military briefing is scheduled for midday Kyiv time.