What steps will Russia take following a large-scale attack on Moscow, and why would this benefit Ukraine?

A drone attack on the Russian capital on June 18 could force Russia to take a step that would only play into Ukraine’s hands. The destruction of facilities at the Moscow Oil Refinery is a blow to the enemy’s logistics and, possibly, a trap for the Kremlin. Find out what the latest strike on the Russian capital revealed—not just in political terms

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Following the unprecedented strike by Ukrainian drones on the Russian capital on June 18, military analysts are predicting forced changes in the aggressor country’s defense strategy. Analysts at the military portal Defense Express are convinced that the consequences of this attack go far beyond the destruction of industrial infrastructure and open up new tactical opportunities for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Consequences of the Strike on Moscow

The main target of the massive airstrike was the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Kapotnya district, located just 15 kilometers from the Kremlin. The refinery’s capacity exceeds 12 million metric tons of feedstock per year. The plant is a critically important facility—it not only supplies fuel to the entire Moscow region but is also directly involved in supplying the Russian occupation army.

The strike caused colossal damage to the plant’s infrastructure. Large-scale fires broke out at the plant in at least five different locations; the flames engulfed the tank farm and key facilities. As emphasized by the Security Service of Ukraine, the drones managed to strike the “heart of the plant”—the primary oil refining unit, without which the entire complex cannot function.

See also: In May, Ukraine recaptured more territory than it lost: The Ukrainian Armed Forces released the figures

Russia’s Response to the Drone Attack: What Will the Kremlin Do?

Analyzing the largest air attack on the Russian capital since the start of the full-scale war, experts from the military portal Defense Express highlight the main strategic benefit for Ukraine. In addition to the obvious economic damage and a powerful political signal, the strike has placed the Kremlin in a vulnerable position.

Faced with a direct threat to the capital, the Russian leadership will most likely decide to immediately strengthen Moscow’s air defense. However, there is only one way to do this quickly—by redeploying air defense systems from other locations, leaving remote regions unprotected. It is precisely this forced redeployment of anti-aircraft systems that will make Russia’s periphery more vulnerable, which will significantly facilitate the planning and execution of new strikes by Ukrainian forces.

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Attack on Moscow on June 18: Official Confirmation from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The morning airstrike on June 18, accompanied by heavy smoke over Kapotnya, marked the second successful strike on this facility in the past two days. The previous attack on the Moscow Oil Refinery was recorded on June 16, indicating a systematic campaign to destroy the enemy’s logistical base.

The fact of the second strike was officially confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Military command specifically emphasized that the facility plays a crucial role in Russia’s military logistics, so its systematic destruction is a top priority for weakening the combat capability of Russian troops.

Reminder! Ukraine’s priceless cultural heritage was targeted during a nighttime shelling of the Ukrainian capital: an enemy drone damaged historic sites at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. One of the European Union countries will help restore the sacred sites to their former state. Find out all the details.

Photo: SOCIAL MEDIA/via REUTERS

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