On Tuesday, amid the Group of 7 summit discussing Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian drones had struck an oil refinery near Moscow. This facility is located about 10 miles from the Kremlin.

Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported that the city faced an attack by dozens of drones, with at least one impacting the Moscow Oil Refinery. He confirmed no casualties but withheld details on the damage.

The previous day, Russian forces targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones. This assault resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people and injured dozens more. It also affected several significant cultural sites, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a major cathedral of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In a video statement, President Zelensky described the drone strike in Moscow as a justified reaction to Russian attacks and the Kremlin’s continuation of the war.

The Moscow Oil Refinery, located in the Kapotnya district, supplies over one-third of Moscow’s fuel needs, including jet fuel and other petroleum products, according to industry sources.

While President Zelensky has sought direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict, the Ukrainian military has intensified its efforts to escalate costs for Russia. They have focused attacks on oil and gas facilities within Russia, aiming to pressure the Kremlin.

“Russia must be forced to end its war against our people,” Zelensky emphasized in his statement.

Marc Santora has been covering the conflict in Ukraine from its onset. With previous assignments in London and as the East and Central Europe bureau chief based in Warsaw, he has extensive reporting experience, including from Iraq and Africa.