A major Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region has brought the realities of the war closer to Russia’s capital, striking an oil refinery and causing visible disruption across parts of the city. Thick black smoke rose over the skyline following the attack, while reports indicated that residential buildings and commercial properties were also affected. Local authorities said an eight-year-old girl was killed in a fire linked to the strikes.

The attack is being described as one of the largest aerial assaults on the Moscow region since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While many residents have grown accustomed to periodic drone attacks and security incidents, the strike underscored the increasing reach of the conflict into Russian territory. Some residents expressed shock at the scale of the attack, while others viewed it as part of a new normal created by the prolonged war.

Russian officials and state media sought to downplay the impact, emphasizing that Russia’s military operations in Ukraine remain more extensive and effective. However, repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, including oil facilities, have raised concerns about economic pressure, fuel shortages, and rising costs. Despite the growing frequency of such incidents, the Kremlin has signalled no change in its military strategy and remains committed to continuing the conflict.

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