Moscow energy infrastructure targeted by 'massive' drone Ukrainian attack

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia over March 10-11, targeting Moscow's major refinery, fuel storage and rail logistics, as well as a control station supporting the Druzhba pipeline system and civilian infrastructure.

In a Telegram statement March 11, Ukraine's Military claimed an attack on the 240,000 b/d Moscow refinery, saying it had hit production facilities at the strategic fuel hub.

Russian media had previously reported that drone debris was discovered close to the site, but did not disclose suspected damage to the plant. Gazprom Neft, the refinery owner, responded to the statement saying the refinery was operating normally.

A source of roughly half the diesel and gasoline in the city of Moscow, according to Ukrainian estimates, the Gazprom Neft refinery has been a frequent object of Ukraine's drone strike campaign, but has so far avoided extended outages owing to attacks. In September, the refinery was hit by drones but was returned to operations within two weeks.

Ukraine's military also claimed a hit to a facility in Russia's Oryol region responsible for controlling technical processes on Russia's Druzhba pipeline system. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed March 11 that oil flows to Central Europe had been affected by the attack.

The Ukrainian statement said the Oryol station also supplies oil to the terminal of the Ust-Luga Baltic seaport, one of Russia's largest export hubs for energy and commodity products.

According to a statement by Russia's Defense Ministry, its forces shot down 337 drones across the country overnight, including 91 over the Moscow region, 22 over Ryazan and others in Oryol and Nizhny Novgorod.

In a Telegram statement, Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said that a "massive drone attack" began around 4 am local time, without commenting on attempts to hit the region's energy infrastructure.

South of Moscow, falling drone debris set fire to an oil depot in Serpukhov, the district head announced, while Russia's Astra news agency reported damage to railway infrastructure at Domodedovo station. Airspace was temporarily suspended over the region's four airports in response to the attacks.

Refinery focus

Ukraine's military has emphasized its continued focus on Russian energy infrastructure as targets for new drone activity, and late March 10 confirmed its recent attacks on other major refining assets.

A statement on X, formerly Twitter, from Ukraine's Defense Intelligence confirmed hits to Russia's Ryazan refinery and "production facilities" at its Novokuybishev refinery over March 9-10, calling the sites "important strategic targets." Together, the Ryazan and Novokuybishev refineries account for more than 500,000 b/d in processing capacity and represent major targets alongside recent attacks on Kirisi, Syzran and Tuapse.

The major Ukrainian offensive comes amid persistent drone attacks on its own territory from Russia. Over March 10-11, Ukraine's air force reported 126 drone attacks, one of which set fire to a fuel storage facility in Odesa.

Escalating drone activity coincides with March 11 talks between Ukraine and the US in Saudi Arabia, which aim to advance a peace deal after a push from the Trump administration to bring a swift end to the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is willing to halt long-range drone strikes to help advance a peace deal, but only on the condition that Russia reciprocates the commitment.