A ‘massive’ Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region killed two people and caused widespread damage, including fires at a major oil refinery and disruptions to transportation and power, according to Todo Alicante. The attack, described as the worst of the war in Moscow, led to the cancellation of flights and the closure of main roads due to thick smoke.

Damage and Panic in Moscow

According to Todo Alicante, the attack caused several fires in Moscow and its main oil refinery — Three columns of dense black smoke were visible from the Kremlin, located fifteen kilometers away. Authorities had to close all ring roads due to lack of visibility, causing massive traffic jams; Thousands of panic-stricken messages circulated on social media as citizens sought refuge in tunnels, parking lots, and metro stations.

The flames targeted Moscow’s most important oil plant, the Kapotno facilities; the smoke from the fire quickly spread to the suburbs. Some exiled dissident media claim that if President Vladimir Putin was in the government complex, he would have been evacuated immediately after the first alarm signals. The president’s official residence and offices have been fortified since Ukrainian attacks on Moscow have become more frequent.

Economic and Military Impact

According to the Korean outlet 최보식의언론, the attack caused economic damage estimated at 350 billion pounds (approximately 67.2 trillion won) — the region experienced rolling blackouts and damage to logistics hubs and transportation networks. Russia responded by launching expensive missiles, including the Iskander ballistic missile, which costs about 4 billion won per unit, and the Kh-101 cruise missile, which costs about 13 billion won per unit. A single large-scale missile attack can cost billions in weaponry alone.

Ukraine used the Nyan long-range drone, produced by BAE Systems, which has a range of 240 to 965 kilometers, though the cost of each Nyan drone is approximately 96 to 192 million won, making it a cost-effective asymmetric weapon compared to Russia’s expensive missiles. The disparity in cost has led to a financial attrition war, where Ukraine can sustain prolonged operations with minimal economic strain compared to Russia.

Defense and Psychological Impact

According to Todo Alicante, the Ministry of Defense has increased interception systems around the Kremlin and surrounding streets since the May 3, 2023, incident, when incandescent debris from two drones fell on the Kremlin’s roof. The psychological impact of the recent attack is only comparable to that event, further eroding Moscow’s sense of safety from the war’s effects.

Russian officials have long relied on Telegram for public communication, and despite efforts to block the app, users in some regions can still access it, though In the Novosibirsk region, farmers and supporters gathered to protest the mass culling of livestock under disease control measures. Although no arrests were reported at the rally, its organizer, leftist activist Sergei Krupenko, was taken into custody en route, while At least two agricultural businesses have since filed lawsuits against veterinary services and the Novosibirsk region government to challenge the legality of the livestock seizures.

Farmers from several regions also traveled to Moscow to submit a petition against the cull to President Vladimir Putin’s reception office. The group, linked to supporters of the occult healer Svetlana Lada-Rus, called for Russia’s exit from the World Trade Organization, blaming WTO rules for the mass livestock killings and the overall decline of Russia’s agricultural sector.