Ukrainian Drones Strike Moscow Oil Refinery, Triggering Fire

Ukrainian drones struck the Moscow Oil Refinery in Moscow’s Kapotnya district on the morning of June 16, according to the Telegram channel Exilenova+, which shared photos and videos from the scene.

A fire continues to burn at the facility, sending smoke visible for several kilometers.

According to videos shared by local residents, the Ukrainian Defense Forces appear to have used FP-1, Liutyi, and Shahed-type drones in the strike on the Moscow region.

Analysis of the footage by OSINT researchers from world.militares indicates that the fire is affecting the refinery’s ELOU-AVT-6 oil-processing unit.

The facility is used for the initial treatment and refining of crude oil. Its primary function is to separate crude oil into key distillate fractions that serve as the basis for producing various fuels.

The Kapotnya oil refinery ranks among Russia’s ten largest oil-processing facilities and provides roughly 40% of the Moscow region’s petroleum-product needs, including supplies for both Moscow and the surrounding region.

The Moscow oil refinery has an annual processing capacity of 11 million tonnes of crude oil and is regarded as one of the most compact facilities of its kind, covering only 284 hectares.

Its industrial facility comprises more than 30 technological units, including facilities for catalytic and thermal cracking as well as reforming processes used in fuel production.

The refinery manufactures AI-80EK, AI-92EK, and AI-95EK gasoline, as well as diesel fuel, jet fuel, bitumen, sulfur, and a range of polymer products.

Ukrainian drones last targeted the oil refinery on May 17, when Moscow officials reported that several construction workers on duty at the refinery’s entrance checkpoint were injured.

The Kapotnya oil refinery was also struck during a drone attack on September 1, 2024. Reports at the time said the strike damaged a key processing unit that accounted for roughly half of the plant’s refining capacity.