Ukraine strikes Moscow Oil Refinery again, Zelensky calls attack a ‘Justified Response’
Ukraine has carried out a fresh drone strike targeting an oil refinery in Moscow, marking the second such attack on the facility within a week, according to reports. Thick fumes of black smoke were seen rising over the Russian capital after the strike, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as a “justified response” to recent Russian attacks on Kyiv.
Zelensky said the operation was in retaliation for ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, including a recent barrage on Kyiv that caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure and historic sites. He stated that Ukrainian forces were targeting facilities supporting Russia’s war efforts.
“This is a fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities,” Zelensky said in a post on X, adding that the strikes reflect the work of Ukrainian forces against infrastructure linked to the conflict.
The Moscow refinery, operated by Gazprom Neft, was seen engulfed in smoke following the attack. The strike comes amid escalating drone warfare between the two countries, with Russia reporting that hundreds of Ukrainian drones were intercepted across multiple regions, including the capital.
Following the attack, Russian authorities temporarily suspended flights at all major Moscow airports, including Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky, citing security concerns.
The escalation occurred hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to meet ASEAN leaders in Kazan for a regional summit focused on economic cooperation and geopolitical stability.
The latest exchange highlights the intensifying conflict, now in its fourth year, with both sides continuing long-range strikes on strategic infrastructure.
