Moscow came under the largest Ukrainian strike since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022, officials on both sides said, as nearly 200 drones battered the Russian capital and air defences across the country intercepted almost 1,000 unmanned aerial vehicles and four Ukrainian cruise missiles in 24 hours.
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Russia’s defence ministry said its forces destroyed “almost 1,000 drones and four cruise missiles” launched from Ukrainian territory. The barrage included close to 200 drones that struck targets around Moscow, triggering huge plumes of black smoke visible across the city and forcing temporary closures at four airports that led to more than 500 cancelled or delayed flights.
The attack caused multiple fires, most dramatically at the Kapotnya oil refinery in south-east Moscow — hit for the third time in a month and the second time this week.
Videos circulated widely on social media showed the lid of a large oil storage tank hurled dozens of metres into the air by a powerful blast.
