Ukrainian drone strikes on a Moscow oil refinery last week sent a storage tank lid flying, part of Kyiv’s largest attack on the capital. The footage highlighted Ukraine’s growing ability to hit deep into Russian territory, with President Vladimir Putin admitting on Sunday that Moscow faces “problems” and warning of fuel shortages as a result of the strikes.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on refineries, depots and supply routes in recent months, using a growing arsenal of long-range drones to overwhelm Russian air defences. Kyiv’s defence ministry said its long-range weapons can now destroy targets at distances of up to 1,750km, a significant increase from the 630km range claimed in 2022.
Investment in home-grown drone and missile production has matured, with firms like Fire Point developing systems such as the FP-1 attack drone and Flamingo cruise missile. The Pentagon is reportedly considering buying Ukrainian drones and electronic warfare systems, reflecting Kyiv’s expertise in modern conflict.
Analysts estimate that more than a fifth of Russia’s total refining capacity may have been knocked offline. The International Energy Agency reported last week that Russian crude oil production dropped by around 5 per cent. The Baker Institute noted that Ukraine’s combination of survival motivation and a skilled population has created a drone and missile complex capable of threatening targets up to 2,000km from its borders.
