A large Russian oil depot in Moscow's Kapotnya district is ablaze after being struck by debris from a Ukrainian drone. The facility, described as the largest in Moscow, is located up to 14 miles from the city center. Flames and a thick column of smoke were visible in images shared on social media.
Drone Debris Causes Fire
Anton Gerashchenko, former advisor to Ukraine's Internal Affairs Minister, confirmed on X: "An oil refinery in Kapotnya, Moscow, Russia, is burning after a drone attack." The strike occurred amid a series of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian infrastructure deep behind enemy lines, approximately 490 miles from the front.
Additional Strikes in Krasnodar Krai
Drone strikes were also reported in Poltavskaya, Krasnodar Krai, in southern Russia. The operational headquarters stated: "Due to the fall of UAV debris, a fire broke out at an oil depot in the village of Poltavskaya, Krasnoarmeysky District." No fatalities or injuries were reported, and 32 personnel with seven pieces of equipment were deployed to combat the fire. The road between Poltavskaya and Trudobelikovsky was temporarily closed, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Recent Ukrainian Operations
On June 10 and 11, Ukraine's defence forces struck Russian military, logistics, and industrial facilities, including the Afipsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. On June 13, Ukraine's Special Group Alpha, in coordination with Special Operations Forces and Defence Intelligence, struck the Tamanneftegaz oil and gas terminal in the same region.
Russian Retaliation and Tactics
The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian forces conducted a large-scale drone and missile strike against Ukraine on the night of June 14-15, targeting Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kharkiv. The Ukrainian Air Force reported downing five Zirkons, 15 Iskander-Ms/S-400s, 30 Iskander-Ks/Kh-101s, and 582 drones, while 20 ballistic missiles and 27 drones struck 42 locations. Debris fell on 12 sites.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian strikes injured at least 53 people and killed at least 11 across Ukraine, including 35 injured and five killed in Kyiv. Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, noted that drones and missiles came from multiple directions, causing destruction from both direct hits and falling debris. He added that Russian forces flew drones at lower altitudes and used fast jet-powered drones, complicating interception. Experts suggest Russia is adapting its strike tactics to maximize damage.
