Ukrainian Strikes Damage Moscow Oil Refinery and Disrupt Crimea Supply Routes

Ukrainian drones struck the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya on June 16 and June 18, disabling both primary oil processing units, Reuters reported. The facility, one of Russia’s largest, supplies fuel to the Moscow region and is expected to remain offline until at least the end of the year.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak reported to President Vladimir Putin that the current situation on the fuel market is challenging but manageable. Novak said the government has adopted a total ban on the export of petroleum and aviation turbine fuel and is considering a similar ban on diesel fuel.

Ukraine has also struck supply routes into occupied Crimea, cutting the main road used to bring food and fuel to the peninsula. The strikes have produced long traffic jams on the Kerch Strait bridge, the only land link between Crimea and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address that internal documents show Russia’s leadership is feeling the pressure.

He added that air-defense assets are being shifted to Moscow, Valdai, and the Kerch bridge at the expense of other areas. President Donald Trump, speaking at a White House meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, said Zelensky is doing pretty well and holding his own.

Rutte noted that European and Canadian allies continue to fund arms supplies to Ukraine while the United States maintains sales.