Massive drone assault paralyzes Moscow, targets key infrastructure
Over 170 Ukrainian drones attacked 16 regions of Russia overnight and early in the morning. Among other places, the drones fell in Moscow, where a key refinery is located. "Shoot it down!" shouts the facility's security in the recording. Fires also broke out at two power plants near the capital.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on Sunday before noon that within one day, their air defence systems shot down and intercepted 171 Ukrainian drones. Radio Liberty and the Russian section of the BBC write about this war's largest and most massive attack.
Moscow refinery attacked. Helicopters scrambled
Loud explosions were heard near the Konakovo power plant in the Tver region, one of the largest energy producers in central Russia.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced on Telegram that a Ukrainian drone was neutralized near the Moscow Oil Refinery, owned by Gazprom Neft and located in the southeastern part of the city. According to Sobyanin, the attack did not cause damage or threaten production.
Three helicopters were scrambled to extinguish the fire.
Later it turned out that it was not drone debris that hit the refinery, but the drone itself, which is clearly visible in the videos published online. The impact occurred at a distance of 14 kilometres from the Kremlin.
"Guys, shoot it down!" shouts the facility's security.
"Strengthened duty regime"
Importantly, as early as Friday, Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations employees in Moscow were instructed to switch to a strengthened duty regime. All firefighting equipment was to be ready for operation, and rescuers were banned from taking leave. There was absolute panic around the Moscow refinery. In the video, dozens of firefighting hoses, laid out by the workers, can be seen stretching for kilometres.
Explosions were also reported at the Kashira State District Power Plant (south of Moscow). According to unconfirmed information, a refinery in Yaroslavl was also attacked.
Paralysis of Moscow's airports after the biggest attack of this war
As we read in the communiqué, 43 aircraft were diverted to alternative airports due to restrictions on the use of airspace. 74 flights were delayed at the aforementioned airports, stated the department.
Due to the massive drone attack on Russia, the Federal Air Transport Agency suspended the operation of three capital airports: Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky to ensure the safety of civilian flights.
Russians "reported" the attack on Moscow
Despite multiple appeals from authorities and services, Russians massively posted videos and photos of the ongoing attack on Moscow online. The web was flooded with dozens of videos showing drones flying toward the capital.
The authorities in Kyiv are calling on the United States to allow them to use weapons supplied by allies to strike targets deep within Russian territory. Along with the rapid development of the domestic drone production industry, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia, hitting energy, military, and transportation infrastructure - sectors crucial for Moscow's war efforts.
Ukraine emphasizes that it must be able to use more powerful weapons supplied by the West to cause greater damage in Russia and weaken its military's ability to continue attacks on Ukraine.
