Ukraine strikes Moscow refinery, disrupting capital as war reaches Kremlin’s doorstep

Ukraine has been striking deeper into Russian territory for months, but this attack stands out for its proximity to the Kremlin and its impact on Moscow’s infrastructure.

Ukraine has dramatically escalated its campaign inside Russia, striking a major oil refinery in southeast Moscow for the second time in three days. The blast was so powerful that the lid of a storage tank was hurled into the sky “like a frisbee,” according to eyewitnesses, igniting a fierce blaze and sending thick black smoke across the capital.

The refinery, located just 16 kilometers from the Kremlin, represents one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure hit since the war began. Kyiv says the strikes are part of a broader effort to cripple Russia’s oil industry, which provides vital revenue for Moscow’s war effort. But the symbolism of hitting so close to the Kremlin is equally important: Ukraine is sending a message directly to ordinary Russians.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X: “Your country started a war of aggression against ours. For years, it has been killing our people. Now that you know what’s going on, ask Putin when he is planning to end it.”

The attack caused major disruption across Moscow. Flights were suspended at all airports, Sheremetyevo — the city’s busiest — was evacuated, and traffic was halted on the ring road near the refinery. For a city of 13 million that has largely managed to insulate itself from the daily realities of war, the strikes marked a rare intrusion into everyday life.

Ukraine has been striking deeper into Russian territory for months, but this attack stands out for its proximity to the Kremlin and its impact on Moscow’s infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy highlighted these strikes at the G7 summit in France, arguing that Ukraine’s ability to hit inside Russia shows the tide of war is turning.

The Kremlin, however, dismissed the idea that the battlefield situation favors Ukraine. A senior aide claimed Trump had been “pumped up” with harmful ideas during the summit. President Vladimir Putin, hosting Southeast Asian leaders in Kazan, has yet to comment publicly.

The strikes underscore Ukraine’s evolving strategy: not only to degrade Russia’s war economy but also to pierce the psychological shield many Russians have built around themselves. Analysts note that while drone attacks on Moscow have occurred since May 2023 — including two that reached the Kremlin itself — they rarely disrupted daily life. Thursday’s refinery strike was different, forcing Muscovites to confront the war in a way they had not before.