Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Thursday, targeting more than a dozen Russian regions and striking an oil refinery in Moscow. Plumes of black smoke were seen rising over the Russian capital following the assault.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that its air defenses destroyed approximately 555 Ukrainian drones. The city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, stated that around 180 of these drones were intercepted as they approached Moscow.

Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attack, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy identifying it as the second time within a week that Kyiv had struck the Moscow Oil Refinery. This facility, operated by a subsidiary of the state-owned company Gazprom, is located in the southeastern part of the city. Verified video footage showed explosions at the refinery in the Kapotnya district.

Zelenskyy described the strike as a "fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities," characterizing it as another success by Ukrainian forces against infrastructure supporting Russia's war efforts. He also suggested that the precision of Ukraine's strikes was being noted by its Western partners.

The attack occurred as NATO defense ministers were preparing to convene in Brussels for a summit where Ukraine's security was a planned agenda item. This escalation in Ukrainian drone activity against Russian territory represents one of the largest single-night long-range attacks undertaken by Kyiv since the conflict began over four years ago.

Russia continued its own long-range attacks on Ukraine on Thursday, launching at least seven ballistic missiles and 239 drones. Ukraine's military reported downing or destroying at least 216 of these projectiles. The Ukrainian armed forces stated that the Moscow refinery was targeted because of its role in supporting the Russian military.

Officials in Moscow indicated that several districts within the city were subjected to drone attacks, reporting some damage. The drone strikes on Russian territory have escalated in recent weeks, with Ukraine aiming to pressure Moscow towards diplomatic solutions.

This incident highlights the expanding reach of the conflict and Ukraine's increasing capability to strike targets deep within Russia, underscoring the ongoing and evolving nature of the protracted war.