Three individuals were killed and five injured due to Ukrainian drone strikes in areas surrounding Moscow overnight. Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, reported that air defense units intercepted 81 drones during the incident. Ukraine has targeted all ten of Russia's largest oil refineries, including the largest one located in Omsk, approximately 1,500 miles from the front lines. An independent Russian outlet, Agentstvo, estimates that around 85% of Russia's refining capacity is now within range of drone attacks.
In response to the strikes, President Vladimir Putin has pledged to increase production of air-defense systems, indicating a current shortfall in their availability. A senior Russian energy executive noted that the volume of drones attacking has increased, overwhelming existing defenses. The ongoing shortages have affected approximately 50 million people in Russia, leading to significant fuel supply issues, including long wait times at gas stations.
Recent drone attacks also resulted in two oil tankers being set ablaze in the Sea of Azov and the destruction of depots in Tver and Stavropol. These incidents have led to a complete halt of shipping in the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the drone strikes as 'long-range sanctions' and emphasized the need for Russia to end the conflict.
Western allies are scheduled to meet in Paris to discuss further air-defense support for Ukraine, which remains vulnerable to Russian missile attacks. President Donald Trump recently indicated that the U.S. would allow Ukraine to develop its own Patriot missile systems, although a Ukrainian defense official cautioned that such systems may take over a year to be operational. Zelensky humorously remarked about the dangers of attending peace talks in Moscow due to the presence of Ukrainian drones.
Sir Bill Browder, an anti-corruption activist and critic of Putin, expressed skepticism about the possibility of a peace treaty, suggesting that the conflict may eventually settle into a low-level standoff similar to the situation on the Korean Peninsula.