Ukraine Strikes Moscow’s Largest Oil Refinery Again; Air Pollution Threatens Residents
For the second time in three days, Ukrainian drones hit the Gazprom Neft refinery in Kapotnya, sparking fires at multiple locations. Experts warn of air pollution similar to that seen in Tuapse and Perm.
In the early hours of June 18, Ukrainian drones struck the Gazprom Neft oil refinery in the Kapotnya district of southeastern Moscow for the second time in three days. This facility is the largest of its kind in the capital region.
According to news outlet Agentstvo, the second attack was more extensive than the first. Fires broke out in at least six locations: two near oil-processing units (including a primary distillation unit) and four more in the tank farm. At least one strike caused an explosion in the tank farm, blowing the roof off a storage tank, as shown in footage from Astra. Pro-war Telegram channels have dubbed the footage “a flying saucer launching over Moscow.”
Social media has been rife with apocalyptic scenarios of a massive explosion that could devastate nearby residential neighborhoods or even the entire city, citing Soviet chemist Valery Legasov. However, fuel storage tanks contain flammable materials, not explosive ones, so a whole refinery cannot “blow up” at once.
The drone strikes have nevertheless ignited fires that are proving difficult to extinguish. This poses a problem for Moscow and the surrounding region—air pollution from combustion byproducts, a phenomenon already seen in Tuapse and Perm after similar drone attacks on oil infrastructure.
Polluted air is dangerous regardless of its source. Even a few days of heavy pollution increases mortality, particularly among those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions. For most people, it causes short-term discomfort: irritated eyes, nose, throat, headaches, and other issues. More serious harm is possible if the refinery burns for an extended period. In Tuapse, a prolonged fire led to elevated benzene levels in the air. Benzene is a known carcinogen, but only through chronic exposure—a fire lasting several days does not count as chronic.
The best advice for residents is to leave the city temporarily. If that is not possible, stay indoors with windows closed. Those who must go outside should wear an FFP2 (N95/KN95) respirator and protective goggles or at least ordinary glasses. Strenuous outdoor activity should be avoided. On the morning of June 18, wind is carrying a cloud of combustion byproducts northeastward. Oil-contaminated rain has already fallen in the Moscow-region cities of Lyubertsy and Balashikha. As of publication, the fire is still burning.
