---
title: "Strike on Moscow's Heart: How Drone Attack on MNPS Paralyzed the Capital's Fuel Market"
description: "🔥 Powerful drone attack on Moscow Oil Refinery: the plant's \"heart,\" supplying the capital with fuel, is on fire. Zelenskyy confirmed the strike at a distance of 500 km, Sobyanin confirmed the downing of 60 UAVs. Consequences could be massive for Moscow's fuel market. 🚨"
date: 2026-06-16T05:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/strike-on-moscow-refinery-drone-attack-on-kapotnya-en
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Strike on Moscow's Heart: How Drone Attack on MNPS Paralyzed the Capital's Fuel Market

![Russian EMERCOM firefighters extinguish a major fire at an oil refinery after drone attacks, causing paralysis of Moscow's fuel market](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/16/udar-po-moskovskomu-npz-ataka-dronov-na-kapotne/udar-po-moskovskomu-npz-ataka-dronov-na-kapotne-1.webp)

In the Kapotnya district, just 15 kilometers from the Kremlin, a major incident unfolded. The Moscow Oil Refinery (MNPS) became the target of an attack by combat drones. Footage from the scene, showing tongues of flame and thick black smoke, rapidly spread across social media, while satellite imagery confirmed the impact.

### Critical Infrastructure Under Attack

MNPS is not just an industrial facility but a key link in the capital's energy security. The plant supplies about 35% of the entire fuel market in Moscow. Its production capacity covers 40% of the city's gasoline needs and 50% of its diesel fuel requirements. Furthermore, fuel for Moscow's airports is produced right here.

According to the source Exilenova, the fire engulfed the ELOU AVT-6 — an electrolysis and hydrocarbon purification unit, referred to as the "heart" of the plant. Damage to this unit could have long-term consequences for the enterprise's operations.

### Government Response and Military Assessments

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported a massive drone attack on the capital. According to him, the air defense system shot down about 60 drones. Emergency services are working at the sites where debris fell. Later, Sobyanin officially confirmed that MNPS sustained damage as a result of a hit.

From the Ukrainian side, the attack was confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He noted that "Ukrainian long-range capabilities" were demonstrated this time at a distance of 500 kilometers from the border. The head of state thanked the servicemen of the SBU, SSS, SSO, GUR, and missile troops for their effective work, calling it a just response to Russia's strikes on Ukraine.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, wrote on his social media that concentrating key air and missile defense systems in Moscow did not save the object. "Putin is not a guarantor of safety for Muscovites," he stated.

### Preventive Measures and Context

Even before the facts of the MNPS strikes were confirmed, the plant urgently reduced pressure in the system, preparing for possible hits. This was reported by Ukrainian Defense Minister's advisor Serhiy Shtepanenko. This indicates that the plant may have been warned about the impending attack or acted according to safety protocols upon detecting threats.

The attack on MNPS is not an isolated event. The day before, drones struck an oil depot in the stanitsa of Poltavskaya in the Krasnodar Krai. This facility serves as an important logistics hub connecting Lukoil plants with the gas station network in the region.

The Kremlin previously allowed the release of "dirty" fuel due to Ukrainian Armed Forces attacks, which may indicate an attempt to maintain production volumes even with damaged purification capacities. Meanwhile, Ukraine has unveiled a new development — the Neptune sea missile, designed for operations in maritime directions, expanding the spectrum of its strike capabilities.