Ukraine’s Moscow drone strikes surge, NATO talks follow

Ukraine’s drone – Ukraine launched what Russian media called its largest drone attack on Moscow in two years, intercepting 180 drones over the capital and hitting a major oil refinery while debris damaged buildings. Russia countered with drones and missiles as Zelensky met NATO

Dawn over Moscow didn’t come quietly. Russian officials said drone defenses knocked down at least 194 drones overnight into Thursday bound for the capital—numbers far above other heavy attack days in recent months, when drones were often only in the double digits.

The strikes were part of a wider Ukrainian drone offensive across Russia. with Russian air defenses intercepting 555 drones. according to the Russian Ministry of Defense—some over the Sea of Azov. Russian media also described debris raining down across the capital region, with fires and damage reported alongside the blasts.

In the southeastern district of Kapotnya. the Moscow Oil Refinery was struck and damaged—an attack that followed damage to the same complex earlier on Tuesday. according to the reporting. Video geolocated by CNN showed thick black smoke billowing from a section of the oil refinery before a large explosion shook another part of the complex. blowing the roof of a large fuel tank container into the air.

Other images captured the scale of the disturbance beyond industrial sites. Another video showed a black plume of smoke rising near Moscow’s Sadovod trade center. which brands itself as Russia’s largest mall. Russian reporting also said an apartment building and a fitness center in the capital were damaged by falling debris.

The same night brought retaliation. The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia fired back at Ukraine with seven missiles and 239 drones. Ukrainian and Russian authorities said that attack hit targets including a private home and energy infrastructure facilities. along with a hangar and oil facilities in both the Kyiv and Poltava regions.

Zelensky framed the drone campaign from his side as payback for attacks on Ukrainian cities. From Brussels—where he arrived on Wednesday for meetings with NATO leaders—President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram that Thursday’s attacks were “a fully justified response to Russian strikes on our cities and communities.”.

He also pointed to what he said were the results of Ukraine’s approach, writing: “In recent days, all our partners have noted the precision and effectiveness of our mid-range strikes and long-range sanctions.”

A key focus of the diplomatic push in Brussels is air defense. Zelensky met with NATO leaders to discuss Ukraine’s military needs and air defense capabilities. as he urged partners to sustain and strengthen the protection Ukraine says it requires to keep pressure on Russian targets while limiting damage at home.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that he and Zelensky discussed the war during a meeting a day earlier. “Ukraine is doing really well,” Rutte said, citing Russian losses at 30-35,000 a month. He added that talks with allies are ongoing “with all allies to make sure Ukraine has what it needs. ” including missile interceptors and weapons systems.

The timing sits uneasily beside broader uncertainty about European defense support. Rutte said the moment is pivotal for Europe amid statements from Trump administration officials about drawing down US forces and hardware stationed in Europe. Last week. the New York Times reported that the US plans to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships it makes available for NATO operations in Europe. citing European sources.

Rutte confirmed the drawdown but played down its impact. “Europeans are already backfilling a lot of those resources. We are in a good place,” he said, adding that if NATO were attacked, member states—including the US—would ramp up military presence wherever needed.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. speaking next to Rutte on Thursday. said NATO is now more capable of handling Europe’s conventional defense. with many countries stepping up commitments—though he said others still need to do more. “I think that’s important, friends being honest with friends, making sure that they can step up,” he added.

The drone escalation also lands against the backdrop of Ukraine’s recent pressure on Russia’s energy infrastructure. In recent weeks, Kyiv has stepped up targeting Russian energy facilities with long-range attacks, and Zelensky has described that strategy as a way to force Moscow to end the war.

Russia’s ability to absorb damage, in turn, has financial stakes. Russian state budget planning relies on oil earnings for at least one-third of its revenue. according to analysts cited in the reporting. Since the Ukraine war began. the pool of buyers for Russian oil has shrunk due to stricter sanctions from the European Union and Washington. At the same time, the Iran war brought a windfall: Moscow benefited from surging global fuel prices and eased sanctions.

Thursday’s attack also came soon after the G7 summit in France. where Zelensky said “everyone” agreed to help Ukraine secure more air defense capabilities. and that US President Donald Trump received his suggestions positively. Earlier on Tuesday. Trump encouraged Russia to agree to a deal that would end the war. now in its fifth year. saying: “Russia’s lost tremendous amounts of people. and so had Ukraine.”.

As the debris settles and official counts are tallied. the message from both Brussels and Moscow is being sent at the same time: for Ukraine. the fight now includes air defense urgency and pressure on infrastructure; for Russia. it is a test of how hard it can absorb and retaliate—over the capital and far beyond.

Ukraine Moscow drones Zelensky NATO Brussels air defense oil refinery Kapotnya Sadovod Russian Ministry of Defense Sergei Sobyanin