Why are Moscow’s air defenses struggling to stop drone attacks? And why are oil refineries so vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes?
AI Summary
Ukrainian forces conducted approximately 200 drone strikes against Moscow on June 18, inflicting the most significant aerial assault on the Russian capital since the full-scale invasion began, destroying a major oil refinery and striking residential areas with at least 17 people injured. President Zelenskyy framed the operation as retaliation for Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and threatened further escalation if strikes continue. The attack coincides with Ukraine's diplomatic efforts at the G7 summit and reflects an ongoing pattern of targeting Russian energy infrastructure at strategic depth.
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On June 16 and 18, Ukrainian drones broke through defenses in southeastern Moscow and knocked out both primary oil distillation units at the Moscow oil refinery.
During the second strike, several fuel storage tanks caught fire, and smoke from the blaze blanketed the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
In carrying out the attack, Ukraine’s Armed Forces achieved several objectives at once: they continued their campaign of strikes against oil refineries; demonstrated their ability to penetrate Russia’s most powerful and layered air defense zone; and produced striking footage that they showed to Western allies.
The footage was equally telling for Russian officials and military commanders: even in the Moscow region, the air defense system is plainly incapable of stopping a mass strike.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces have learned to assemble the forces needed to overwhelm the radars and launch systems protecting the most heavily guarded facilities.
Other defensive approaches are either used in limited ways or remain in the testing phase. ...
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