Moscow Kapotnya refinery blast blamed on Ukrainian drone raid

A large explosion ripped through a fuel tank at the Kapotnya oil refinery on the outskirts of Moscow, sending the tank lid soaring amid thick smoke and flames. Reuters and The Guardian attributed the blast to a Ukrainian drone attack that also ignited fires and caused extensive damage to refining units, auxiliary systems, pipelines and storage tanks.

The strike marks the second hit on the refinery within 24 hours, raising concerns about the plant’s role in supplying fuel to the Russian capital. Russian officials said they intercepted dozens of drones, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky framed the attacks as retaliation for Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. The incident disrupted airport operations and caused significant traffic delays in Moscow, highlighting the broader impact of the ongoing conflict on energy infrastructure.