At least two people were killed and a major oil refinery sustained damage as hundreds of drones targeted the Russian capital and its surrounding region on Sunday, the final day of the country’s parliamentary elections. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that over 1,600 drones were intercepted, with 450 specifically aimed at Moscow.

Sobyanin accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the elections, which are expected to consolidate President Vladimir Putin’s extensive control. "The unprecedented attack was clearly planned with the aim of disrupting the elections. The enemy did not succeed," he stated via Telegram.

Moscow regional Governor Andrey Vorobyov confirmed the deaths of a 44-year-old woman and an elderly man in separate incidents. He also noted that a fire at a 21-storey building, caused by a drone impact, led to the evacuation of 400 residents.

The attacks coincide with Ukraine’s intensified long-range drone campaign against Russia, often focusing on energy infrastructure to impact Kremlin revenue supporting the war effort, now in its fifth year. The Moscow Oil Refinery, a facility that has been targeted previously, was reported to be damaged, though no casualties were confirmed at the site.

These strikes occur as Russia holds its first parliamentary elections since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Voting has also been conducted in occupied parts of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force Command reported that Russia launched 138 drones across Ukraine overnight, with air defenses neutralizing 101 of them.

The timing of the strikes, particularly on election day, has raised questions about Russia's air defense capabilities and Ukraine's strategic objectives. The scale of the reported drone interceptions suggests a significant coordinated effort by Ukrainian forces.

This incident follows recent claims by US President Donald Trump suggesting an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to avoid targeting each other's energy facilities, adding another layer of complexity to the geopolitical implications of the attacks.

Further details regarding the extent of the damage to the oil refinery and the overall impact on Russia's energy sector are awaited, as are official responses from both Ukrainian and international authorities.