Moscow Refinery Shuts Down After Drone Attacks
The Moscow Oil Refinery (MOR) has ceased crude oil processing following two separate drone strikes attributed to Ukraine, which occurred on June 16 and June 18, 2026. These attacks targeted critical infrastructure at the facility, located in the Kapotnya district of southeastern Moscow. The following assets were hit:
- the AVT-6 primary crude distillation unit;
- a combined oil processing unit (KUPN);
- three storage tanks, each with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters;
- one tank with a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters.
According to satellite imagery released by the Ukrainian General Staff, two of the tanks—one 30,000 and one 10,000 cubic meters in size—were completely destroyed.
Impact of the Attacks
The strike on June 18 proved more devastating than the earlier one, triggering a massive fire on the refinery grounds with at least five separate ignition points. The Moscow Refinery, which has an annual processing capacity of over 12 million metric tons of crude oil, has now suspended operations indefinitely. This facility is among the largest in Russia, making its shutdown a significant blow to the country's refining sector.
“New satellite images published by the Ukrainian General Staff confirm that the Moscow Refinery is in dire straits.” — 24 Channel
The halt at the Moscow Refinery carries serious implications for Russia's oil processing industry, as the plant plays a key role in domestic fuel supply. These attacks on critical infrastructure could lead to further disruptions in the distribution of petroleum products, potentially affecting the local market. They also signal a shift in Ukraine's military strategy, aimed at crippling the economic capabilities of its adversary.
The recent drone strikes have raised significant concerns about the state of the Moscow Oil Refinery, with new satellite images illustrating the extent of the damage inflicted during these attacks. For a closer look at the aftermath of the second strike and its implications for the refinery's operations, see the detailed analysis in our report on the satellite imagery revealing the destruction.