Drone strike halts oil processing at Moscow refinery on final day of Duma election
A Ukrainian drone attack on September 20 halted crude processing at the Kapotnya refinery in Moscow, with repairs potentially taking weeks. The strike coincided with the final voting day of Russia's State Duma elections.
The oil refinery in Moscow's Kapotnya district has stopped processing crude oil following a Ukrainian drone attack on September 20, according to three industry sources cited by Reuters. The strike occurred on the last and main day of voting in Russia's State Duma elections.
According to the sources, both of the refinery's primary crude distillation units caught fire during the attack. Repairs are expected to take several weeks.
Reuters also reported that fuel from the Moscow refinery has not been offered for sale on the St. Petersburg Exchange since September 21.
Largest attack on Moscow to date
On September 20, Ukraine carried out its largest attack on Moscow since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 1,600 drones were shot down on all approaches to the city. A fire broke out at the refinery, though the extent of the damage was initially unclear.
The same refinery was also damaged during the previous largest attack on Moscow, in June 2026. Sources told Reuters at the time that the plant had also stopped operating then, but it resumed production sooner than the agency had predicted.
