Ukraine punishes Moscow with the biggest drone storm: "If Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn", says Zelenski

On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched a significant attack on one of Russia's largest oil refineries, located approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Moscow. The target was the Gazprom refinery in Kapotnya, which plays a crucial role in supplying fuel to the Russian capital. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, this strike is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to pressure Russia into ending its ongoing conflict. He emphasized that long-range weapons used by Ukraine are essential tools in this effort. The attack did not result in casualties, as confirmed by Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin.

The refinery processes 12.1 million tons of crude oil annually, meeting more than a third of Moscow’s fuel requirements, including those for its international airports. This facility had previously been targeted in March and May, but the current assault marks a new escalation in intensity. In response to the damage caused by the attack, authorities in the southern Krasnodar region, near the Black Sea, had to close a major highway after drone strikes hit fuel storage facilities there. Although no injuries were reported, the disruption has led to temporary closures of dozens of gas stations in regions such as Krasnodar and Tatarstan. Private oil company Tatneft imposed restrictions, limiting vehicle fuel purchases to 20 liters per transaction.

The increasing frequency of drone attacks has become a defining feature of recent months, affecting both infrastructure and civilian life. Images of smoke rising over cities far removed from the front lines have become common, even impacting tourism along the Black Sea coast. For example, in Tuapse, where a refinery burned for days in May, local authorities permitted tourism despite ongoing contamination of the beaches. To mitigate the effects of these disruptions, the Russian government allowed its oil companies to sell gasoline and diesel with higher sulfur content, labeled as meeting minimum standards. However, this fuel can potentially damage vehicles and increase pollution levels.

Russian regulations require that gasoline meet the Euro 5 standard, which limits sulfur content to 10 grams per kilogram. Despite this, officials reportedly permitted refineries to produce fuel under the less stringent Euro 3 standard, labeling it as Euro 5 for internal use. This means that gasoline could contain up to 150 grams of sulfur per kilogram, while diesel might reach 350 grams per kilogram. Additionally, additives such as ethanol and monometylaniline, which enhance performance, are now being used more freely, surpassing previous limitations. These changes raise concerns about compliance with agreements involving neighboring countries within the Eurasian Union, such as Belarus and Kazakhstan, where vehicles using this fuel would face restrictions.

Moscow experienced its worst drone attack since the start of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine earlier this week. The primary focus remained on the refinery in Kapotnya, situated in the southeastern part of the city. Images shared online showed plumes of smoke and flames engulfing the facility. Zelensky confirmed the attack against the refinery, describing it as part of Ukraine’s long-range sanctions targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure. This strike further disrupted operations at the refinery, which had already faced challenges due to prior Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure.

President Vladimir Putin has consistently portrayed the invasion of Ukraine as a "special military operation," rather than a war. However, the visible impact of Ukrainian attacks is eroding this narrative, especially as economic constraints and other issues affect Russians directly. Initially, Moscow viewed the conflict as distant, maintaining an image of normalcy. Psychological shifts began in May 2023 when drones struck areas around the Kremlin, followed by attacks on residential zones and elite neighborhoods in western and southwestern parts of Moscow. By July and August 2023, drones reached Moscow City, the financial district known for its skyscrapers.

In 2024, the scale of drone attacks increased significantly, with 34 drones launched against Moscow in November, marking the highest number recorded since the beginning of the war. The novelty shifted from whether a single drone could reach the city to how many could simultaneously. Over time, these waves of drones have repeatedly forced airport closures. In 2026, a notable change occurred with larger-scale attacks targeting energy infrastructure specifically.

Alexander Bots, a military correspondent aligned with the Russian regime, noted in Russian media that the enemy seeks weaknesses and tests reaction times. He acknowledged that when vulnerabilities are found, real attacks will follow. New defense systems developed by recently established companies have helped reduce the number of successful hits, although the threat remains substantial.

The attack on Kapotnya, located near the Moskva River and bordering the city's ring road, transformed a once-industrial area into a battleground. The district had seen improvements with parks and recreational spaces, but now it faces scenes reminiscent of wartime: smoke rising from the plant, emergency sirens, closed roads, and residents recording footage from windows or courtyards. Damage extended beyond the refinery to residential and commercial areas in Moscow and surrounding regions, highlighting the growing vulnerability of the Russian capital.