Ukrainian Drones Hit Moscow Refinery, Trigger Fuel Rationing and 450 Flight Disruptions

Ukrainian drones struck the Kapotnia oil refinery southeast of Moscow overnight, prompting Russian authorities to limit gasoline sales in the capital to 30 liters per vehicle at Gazprom Neft stations, down from the previous 60-liter cap. Moscow's mayor confirmed the refinery was damaged, and local media reported at least three deaths and more than twenty injuries in the Moscow region. The attack also triggered a major aviation disruption, with nearly 450 flights canceled or delayed across Moscow airports, according to Ukrainian outlet TSN.ua. Separately, a drone struck the cooling tower of the Kursk nuclear power plant without causing a fire, raising concerns about the safety of Russian nuclear infrastructure. The Kapotnia refinery had already been hit by Ukrainian forces in June, making this at least the second strike on the same facility. The combined refinery damage, fuel rationing, and flight chaos represent one of the most disruptive Ukrainian drone operations inside Russia to date.

Global Impact

Geopolitically, the strike deepens the war's reach into Russian domestic infrastructure, demonstrating Ukraine's growing long-range drone capability and pressuring Moscow to divert air-defense resources. Economically, repeated hits on Russian refineries threaten global refined-product supply, potentially widening diesel and gasoline cracks and adding inflationary pressure to energy-importing economies.