Ukrainian Drones Strike Moscow Oil Refinery Amid Conflict Escalation

Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted an oil refinery in Moscow for the second time this week, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy actively seeks support from the United States and Europe to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, air defences intercepted 555 Ukrainian drones across various regions overnight, with nearly 200 shot down as they approached the Russian capital. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed that some drones reached the oil facility and noted that a shopping centre sustained minor damage during the incident.

This attack marks the second time this week that the refinery has been targeted. A previous drone strike earlier halted operations at the facility, reported by Reuters. Yulia Shapovalova, reporting from Kazan, highlighted the refinery’s significance, stating it supplies approximately 40 percent of petrol and oil products to Moscow’s multi-million population. Emergency services are currently working to extinguish the ongoing fires at the site.

Additionally, the regional governor indicated that multiple structures, including a high-rise residential building and several private homes, suffered damage from the drone strikes. Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow’s busiest, temporarily suspended flights as passengers were evacuated and sought refuge in the car park.

In a separate incident, Ukrainian forces targeted a railway bridge over the North Crimean Canal, aiming to disrupt Russian military logistics in the occupied region, as stated by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.

Meanwhile, Kyiv experienced a second Russian missile attack this week, as city officials reported a barrage of ballistic missiles aimed at the capital. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, urged residents to seek safety during air raid alerts.

In the northeastern city of Sumy, one individual was reported dead due to a drone attack. Additionally, regional authorities in Dnipro stated that one man lost his life and 11 others were injured following a Russian strike in the southeastern city.

Reporting from Kyiv, Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine noted that at least nine locations were targeted by approximately 239 drones and seven ballistic missiles during the overnight assault, with Ukraine claiming to have intercepted the majority.

Earlier in the week, a significant attack on Kyiv led to 11 fatalities and damage to a UNESCO-listed monastery, which has drawn condemnation from European leaders, although Russia denies targeting the historical site.

As these military actions unfold, President Zelenskyy is working to build pressure on Russia to begin negotiations to end the war, which has been ongoing for over four years. He confirmed recent conversations with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, among other G7 leaders, in an effort to coordinate strategies for peace.

Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Zelenskyy emphasised Ukraine's commitment to striking targets within Russia as a response to attacks on Ukrainian territory and as a tactic to encourage peace discussions. He asserted that if Ukraine continues to suffer, so too will Moscow, urging the need to conclude Russia’s aggression.

Leaders of the G7 have vowed to enhance Ukraine’s air defence capabilities and exert further pressure on Russia’s wartime economy, including tighter sanctions on its oil and gas sector. Trump indicated his willingness to assist in ending the conflict when speaking to reporters.

Zelenskyy also mentioned that he received crucial commitments from G7 countries, which include additional air defence missile supplies and a winter support package for Ukraine. He noted the United States is prepared to provide essential backing for these initiatives and stressed the importance of implementation to convey that Russia’s actions cannot be tolerated.

In related developments, the United Kingdom announced it would supply 150,000 drones to Ukraine as part of a £752 million ($1 billion) military assistance package. Furthermore, another exchange of deceased servicemen took place, with Russian state media outlet Tass reporting that Russia returned the remains of 522 Ukrainian soldiers, while receiving 33 Russian servicemen in return.