Ukraine executed a significant drone offensive against Moscow and its surrounding areas as Russia’s parliamentary elections concluded, resulting in at least three fatalities and damage to an oil refinery. This development was confirmed by Russian authorities.
Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported the interception of over 1,600 drones since the onset of the attack on Saturday, with approximately 450 targeting the capital city. Some drones reached the Moscow Oil Refinery, causing damage, while a residential building in the Moscow region was also hit. The assault resulted in casualties and prompted the evacuation of around 400 residents from a 21-story apartment complex.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the strikes were aimed at critical Russian energy and logistics infrastructure. The attack marks a continuation of Ukraine’s strategy to use long-range drones and domestically manufactured weaponry to reach deep within Russian territory, focusing particularly on energy facilities.
The drone offensive coincided with the conclusion of Russia’s first parliamentary elections since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian officials have accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere with the electoral process through these attacks. Meanwhile, Kyiv continues its efforts to target Russian military and energy infrastructure as part of its broader conflict strategy.