Before Ukraine conducted its largest assault on Moscow, hitting a major refinery and causing thick black smoke to billow over the capital, the impact of Kyiv’s escalating drone attacks was keenly felt by many Russians. In Crimea, where Russia unlawfully annexed the region in 2014, the installed governor imposed a nighttime ban on motorcycles and scooters due to their resemblance to the drones frequently flying overhead.
The peninsula experienced fuel shortages, empty pumps, and restrictions after Ukrainian strikes aimed at disrupting supply routes to the area. Although Moscow and its 13 million residents have not yet faced significant fuel shortages, experts warn that the country’s energy sector is increasingly strained as Ukraine directs the conflict closer to Russia through a series of long- and middle-range strikes.
“I don’t want to see innocent civilians suffer, but the people of Moscow hold the key to ending this war,” stated Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Energy Industry Research Center in Kyiv. “It’s up to the people of Moscow to bring about peace, not necessarily Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
Russian President Putin was not in Moscow when Ukraine launched around 200 drones to target the capital and surrounding areas. The attack resulted in 16 injuries and the tragic death of an eight-year-old girl, damaging buildings and causing chaos. An oil storage tank lid was launched into the air like a giant Frisbee in one of the explosions.
The refinery, operated by Gazprom Neft, supplied nearly 40% of the fuel to Moscow before being struck twice in significant attacks. Videos circulated online depicted moments of panic as air defenses attempted to intercept the drones. Following the attack, photos showed cars covered in black residue, with reports of inky rain falling from the sky.
Igor Sechin, CEO of Rosneft, Russia’s largest oil company, acknowledged the challenging conditions in the fuel market, attributing them to high seasonal demand and unscheduled refinery operations. He assured that essential facilities would receive fuel supplies, although refueling containers was discouraged.
In Crimea, where transportation and fuel infrastructure have been recurrent targets, fuel rationing is already in place. The governor of Sevastopol announced a continued 20-liter limit on gas per vehicle. Reports of fuel shortages have emerged in various Russian regions, including Dagestan, prompting Russia to consider fuel imports from Asia to address the scarcity.
Ukrainian drone and missile manufacturer Fire Point showcased footage of the Moscow strikes at a defense convention in Paris, emphasizing the impact of their long-range drones on Russia’s energy facilities and military logistics. The company’s co-founder highlighted the disruption caused to Russian army supply chains, underscoring the pressure on Russian forces and the escalating conflict dynamics.
Overall, the intensification of Ukraine’s drone campaign is reshaping the dynamics of the conflict, extending the reach of the war to Moscow and exerting pressure on Russia’s energy infrastructure and military operations.