Ukraine has launched a second strike on a Moscow oil refinery within a week, leading to disruptions in commercial flights at airports in the city, according to Russian officials on Thursday. This appears to be one of the largest drone attacks since the Russian invasion began over four years ago.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that their air defense systems shot down 555 Ukrainian drones across several regions, successfully intercepting around 200 drones that were advancing toward the capital.
Moscow’s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, stated that a number of drones targeted the oil refinery located on the southeastern edge of the city.
The Ministry of Transport in Russia announced that operations from four Moscow airports have been put on hold as a result of the attack.
This incident occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy revealed he had “important coordination calls” with U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, discussions that might lead to “significant changes.”
On Wednesday, President Zelenskiy expressed that he had received crucial commitments for additional support from global leaders at the G7 summit in France.
“These past few days have been quite significant for Ukraine, marking the reunification of the G7 in support of our situation,” Macron shared with reporters following his time at the Palace of Versailles, alongside Trump.
Macron emphasized that efforts would continue to bolster the “Ukrainian resistance” and enhance their capacity to defend and retaliate.
The timing of the attack was particularly notable as President Vladimir Putin was in Kazan, about 430 miles east of Moscow, meeting with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, indicating Russia’s desire to strengthen its business ties.
The two-day summit aims to explore ways to enhance Russia’s “strategic partnership” with ASEAN nations, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, as outlined by Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.
