In the night of June 16, an event occurred in Moscow capable of significantly impacting the capital's energy logistics. According to industry sources, a strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery (MNPS), owned by Gazprom Neft, caused serious damage and halted the plant's operations.
Scale of Destruction and Fire
Insider reports indicate that the attack inflicted critical damage on the primary processing unit. This is a key node of the facility, accounting for 53% of the plant's total capacity. Witnesses recorded a powerful fire and columns of thick black smoke rising above the site in the southeast of the capital.
The situation at the scene appears tense: emergency services were forced to work in smoky conditions to localize the fire on damaged pipelines and tanks.
Contradictory Official Data
The official reaction from Moscow authorities was restrained. The city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, confirmed the fact of damage to one of the structures; however, emergency services stated that the fire was extinguished and did not affect the refinery's operations.
However, sources from Reuters refute the version that the plant remains operational. According to their data, production at the facility has been halted. This is of critical importance, as the MNPS is the largest fuel supplier for the Moscow region.
Economic Significance of the Facility
The significance of the enterprise is hard to overestimate. According to the latest available data, in 2024, the Moscow plant processed 11.6 million tons of oil. The hub's output included 2.9 million tons of gasoline and 3.2 million tons of diesel fuel. The plant has been a target of attacks before, but the current incident appears to be the most serious in recent times.
Strategic Context of the Attack
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, strikes on the fuel and energy complex are systematic. The General Staff notes that striking at a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers has led to technological and logistical paralysis on the Russian side.
In total, 16 major oil refineries and terminals in Russia have already been hit. As a result, more than 40 technological units have been put out of commission. The Ukrainian side claims that restoring these capacities is impossible due to international sanctions limiting access to necessary technologies and equipment.
The strike on the MNPS was confirmed by the Unmanned Systems Forces, noting that such attacks continue to inflict systematic damage on the enemy's infrastructure.