Moscow residents complain of black rain after largest Ukrainian attack hits oil refinery

What Happened

Around 11 March 2025, Ukrainian forces launched the largest drone attack on Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion began, sending nearly 200 drones toward the Russian capital and other regions. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed its air defences intercepted almost 1,000 drones and four Ukrainian cruise missiles nationwide overnight. In the Moscow region, Governor Andrei Vorobyov reported 17 people wounded; fires broke out at the Kapotnya oil refinery in south-east Moscow—hit for the third time in a month—and at a nearby shopping centre after drone debris fell. Moscow's four airports were temporarily shut, cancelling or delaying over 500 flights. An oil depot in the southern Rostov region was also struck, killing one person. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strikes, calling them 'long-range sanctions' and warning that 'if Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn too,' framing the attack as a response to Russia's prior strike on Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha taunted Muscovites on social media, blaming Russia for starting the war and urging Putin to end it. Russian President Vladimir Putin, hosting a summit in Kazan, did not immediately comment.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The attack is the largest on Moscow since the invasion began, marking a significant escalation in Ukraine's long-range strike campaign and demonstrating the vulnerability of the Russian capital—over 500 km from the Ukrainian border—to mass drone swarms. It signals Kyiv's ability to bring the war home to ordinary Russians, potentially impacting domestic support for the conflict, and coincides with Putin hosting a diplomatic summit, underscoring the Kremlin's inability to guarantee security even in its core territory.

Watch For

Potential Russian retaliation strikes on Ukrainian cities, further Ukrainian long-range attacks (especially if Moscow's air defences are adjusted), and any shift in Putin's or the Kremlin's public rhetoric—Putin's silence after this unprecedented attack could precede a formal response. Monitor diplomatic channels, particularly with Southeast Asian leaders in Kazan, for reactions, and watch for any new restrictions on public drone footage or airspace closures indicating escalating tensions.