Ukraine hits Moscow refinery as Zelenskyy seeks Trump support to end war

What Happened

Ukrainian drones struck a Moscow oil refinery for the second time this week, causing a large fire. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the refinery was hit and a shopping centre suffered minor damage; Sheremetyevo airport suspended flights. Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defences shot down 555 Ukrainian drones overnight, with nearly 200 intercepted near Moscow. Simultaneously, Russia launched ballistic missiles at Kyiv, with city officials urging residents to shelter. Al Jazeera reported that Ukraine intercepted most of the 239 drones and 7 ballistic missiles launched overnight. One person was killed in a drone attack in Sumy. These strikes followed a major Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week that killed 11 people and damaged a UNESCO-listed monastery, which Russia denied striking. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy intensified diplomatic efforts to end the war, speaking with US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other G7 leaders. Trump said he would 'do whatever I can' to end the conflict. G7 leaders pledged to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences, including providing more missiles and production licenses, and tighten sanctions on Russian oil and gas. Zelenskyy said the U.S. is ready to provide a backstop for these efforts.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The second drone strike on Moscow's refinery in a week highlights Ukraine's capability to reach strategic Russian infrastructure, worsening Moscow's fuel crisis and domestic pressure. Concurrently, Zelenskyy's high-level diplomatic push with G7 leaders, including Trump's explicit commitment to end the war, suggests a potential shift in international dynamics that could influence the trajectory of the conflict and future negotiations.

Watch For

Monitor the status of the Moscow refinery fire and any fuel supply disruptions in the Russian capital. Track the delivery of pledged G7 air defence systems and licenses, as well as the implementation of tightened sanctions. Watch for potential Russian retaliation strikes on Kyiv or other Ukrainian cities. Observe Trump's next diplomatic steps toward ending the war, including any planned meetings or phone calls with Putin, and concrete U.S. backstop measures.