Ukraine has unleashed its largest drone offensive on Moscow since the full-scale war began, grounding flights, sparking major fires, and injuring at least 16 people. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that air defences shot down at least 194 drones bound for the capital on Thursday, part of a wider Ukrainian assault involving 555 intercepted drones across Russia.

The primary target was the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya, just 15 kilometres from the Kremlin. Already damaged on Tuesday, the facility was rocked by a large explosion that blew the roof off a major fuel tank. Falling debris also damaged a capital apartment building, a fitness centre, and a site near Russia’s largest mall. Beyond Moscow, Ukraine hit an oil depot in Rostov and 2 strategic bridges in occupied areas. President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking from Brussels, framed the operation as a fully justified response to Russian strikes, noting that partners have recognised the precision of Kyiv's long-range capabilities.

This strategy strikes a direct economic blow, as Russia relies on oil for at least 1/3 of its state revenue. Moscow retaliated swiftly on Thursday, launching 7 missiles and 239 drones that hit private homes and energy facilities across the Kyiv and Poltava regions. The escalation coincided with a NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels, where NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Ukraine’s military performance, citing Russian losses at 30,000 to 35,000 personnel a month. However, political anxiety loomed as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a 6-month review of the US force posture in Europe. Hegseth warned that Washington’s contributions will be strictly contingent on European allies meeting their defence spending targets, accelerating a pivot toward Europe taking full responsibility for its own defence.

-CNN