Moscow Oil Refinery Shut Down Until Late 2026 After Drone Strikes.

Moscow Oil Refinery Under Attack

According to Espreso.tv: Ukraine launched drone strikes on the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya, causing severe damage that halted operations and disrupted fuel supplies to the Russian capital. On June 16, Ukrainian drones first hit the facility, damaging the ELOW-AVT-6 primary oil refining unit. Two days later, on June 18, a second strike triggered a massive fire at the plant.

According to expert Oleh Sarkits, the refinery sustained over 90% damage. This event contributed to a collapse in Russia's stock market, which hit its lowest point in a year and a half. Satellite images captured on June 20 confirmed extensive damage to storage tanks and visible burn marks across the site.

Moscow Faces Fuel Crisis

The Moscow Oil Refinery is not expected to resume operations until the end of 2026. As a result, Moscow is already experiencing crisis conditions, reported expert Mykhailo Honchar. He added that Russia is urgently seeking fuel assistance from Belarus. These developments highlight the serious challenges confronting the fuel infrastructure of the Russian capital.

These events underscore not only the vulnerability of Russia's critical infrastructure but also the potential economic consequences amid the ongoing war. The shutdown of the Moscow refinery could lead to:

• rising fuel prices;
• fuel shortages;

which would in turn affect transportation and public utilities. Russia's efforts to secure alternative fuel supplies demonstrate the gravity of the situation and the urgent need to address the unfolding crisis.