A massive attack with Ukrainian drones penetrated the Russian defenses and managed to hit a refinery complex in the southeast of Moscow at night, already attacked on Monday, causing several fires.

"Air defense forces continue to repel a large-scale attack. Several drones managed to reach the MNPZ," a large refinery in Moscow, the mayor of the Russian capital, Sergei Sobyanin, published on the Telegram messaging platform.

According to the mayor, “measures are being taken to deal with the consequences,” without specifying whether the industrial facility suffered damage. He later added that Russian air defense had destroyed 52 drones.

Zelensky confirms attack

The Ukrainian president confirmed the attack on his X account, from Brussels: "Last night, our long-distance actions again reached the Moscow region. For the second time this week, the Moscow oil refinery was hit," wrote Volodimir Zelensk.

The Ukrainian leader - who arrived last night in the EU capital from Évian, the French town where he participated in the G7 summit, to meet with the Belgian leaders and the highest representatives of NATO - published with his message a video showing the refinery on fire and covered by a large layer of smoke.

Alert at Sheremetyevo airport

The attack caused an air alert to be activated at one of Moscow's main airports, Sheremetyevo, which was later lifted, according to the air terminal.

This Ukrainian attack comes while Russian President Vladimir Putin has been hosting Asian leaders since Wednesday night for a two-day summit between Russia and ASEAN in Kazan, in the center of the country.

On Tuesday, another Ukrainian drone attack on the same MNPZ refinery, which covers more than a third of the Russian capital's fuel needs, caused a fire and damage.

Daily mutual attacks

Russia has launched almost daily attacks against Ukraine, with drones and missiles, since the start of its offensive in February 2022.

In turn, kyiv has intensified its attacks against Russian territory in recent months, largely directed at crude oil facilities and export centers, seeking to prevent it from receiving income from the sale of hydrocarbons, with which it finances the war.