A significant drone assault targeted a major oil refinery in Moscow, damaging a crucial processing unit. This incident is part of a broader wave of drone attacks occurring in the region.
According to OSINT analysts, fires erupted in at least two locations within the facility during the strike. Specifically, there were at least four fire outbreaks in the tank farm and two additional blazes near the oil processing unit.
The primary oil processing unit is a complex structure, comprising several components, including the AVT primary processing unit. This facility, known as AVT-6, was notably impacted during the attack on Tuesday and is often referred to as the “heart” of the refinery, responsible for half of its total processing capacity.
Reuters later confirmed that this specific unit was indeed struck. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) also reported that the drone strikes targeted the tank farm, the AVT processing unit, and a diesel fuel hydrocracking unit.
In the aftermath of the attack, social media users reported what they described as an “oil rain” falling over Moscow. Following the strikes, operations at the refinery were completely halted.
However, sources from Reuters indicated that another primary processing unit may resume operations shortly.
On June 18, Moscow and the surrounding area experienced one of the most extensive drone attacks of the year. In response to the aerial threat, authorities temporarily suspended operations at four major airports in the capital, while flames engulfed the Moscow refinery in Kapotnya once again.
Following the strikes, shares of Russia’s leading oil and gas companies plummeted, with significant declines noted for Gazprom, Rosneft, and Lukoil.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the Defense Forces had targeted the Moscow refinery for the second time in a week, framing the strikes as a justified response to attacks on Ukrainian cities and urging Russia to consider steps towards ending the conflict.
A recent drone attack on a major oil refinery in Moscow has caused significant damage, leading to operational halts and a sharp decline in stock prices for Russian oil companies. This incident is part of a larger pattern of escalating drone assaults in the region.