Drone Attack Damages Moscow Oil Refinery as Two People Are Killed

A drone attack on Moscow damaged part of one of Russia’s largest oil refineries and killed two people in the wider Moscow region, according to Russian authorities cited by Coin Bureau Reuters, as the country entered the final day of parliamentary elections.

The Moscow oil refinery, a major supplier of fuel to the capital and surrounding region, was among the infrastructure targeted in the large-scale overnight attack. Reuters reported that several drones reached the refinery’s premises and that witnesses in Moscow heard blasts and saw smoke rising from the site.

Moscow Refinery Hit During Large-Scale Drone Attack

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defenses had downed more than 1,600 drones since Saturday, including 450 that were headed toward Moscow. The figures were provided by Russian authorities and have not been independently verified.

The attack also caused damage beyond the refinery. Reuters reported that a drone struck an apartment building, while authorities in the Moscow region said 400 people, including 70 children, were evacuated from a 21-story building in the Ramenskoye district. Two people were killed in the wider Moscow region.

The strikes occurred as Russia's parliamentary elections entered their final day. Sobyanin said the attack was intended to disrupt the vote, a claim made by the Moscow mayor that was not independently established in the Reuters report.

Refinery Is a Major Fuel Supplier

The Moscow refinery has a refining capacity of about 11 million tonnes of oil per year, according to the figures cited by Coin Bureau from Reuters.

Reuters reported that the facility processed 11.6 million metric tons of oil in 2024, producing 2.9 million tons of gasoline and 3.2 million tons of diesel. The plant has been targeted repeatedly, making its operating status relevant to Russia’s already strained fuel market.

The refinery’s importance extends beyond crude processing. Disruptions at Russian refineries have contributed to shortages of oil products, higher fuel prices and queues at filling stations in several regions, according to Reuters.

Attack Follows Energy Infrastructure Agreement

The latest strike also comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure.

Reuters reported that both countries have continued attacks on energy facilities despite the announcement. Ukraine has not commented on the Moscow attack, while both sides have said they do not target civilians.

The disruption at the Moscow refinery adds another potential pressure point for Russia’s fuel supply at a time when repeated attacks have already affected refining capacity. Reuters reported earlier this month that six major Russian diesel-producing refineries had reduced output or halted operations after drone strikes.

For fuel markets, the immediate question is how long the Moscow refinery’s affected facilities remain disrupted and whether further attacks produce additional reductions in Russian refining capacity.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.