Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow since the start of the war, targeting a major oil refinery that supplies nearly one-third of the Russian capital's fuel needs. Massive explosions and towering plumes of black smoke were seen rising over southern Moscow as fires engulfed the strategic facility. The attack also disrupted air travel, forcing Moscow airports to suspend operations and triggering widespread flight cancellations. Kyiv described the strike as retaliation for recent Russian attacks, while reports suggest Russia may now look to import fuel from Asia amid growing supply concerns.  

Russia has issued a chilling warning to foreign nationals, diplomats and international staff in Kyiv, urging them to leave the Ukrainian capital immediately as Moscow threatens a new wave of “systematic strikes” targeting command centres, military hubs and drone production facilities. The Russian Foreign Ministry said strikes would continue across Kyiv and warned civilians to stay away from government and military buildings. Reports also suggest Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pressed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the safety of embassy staff in the city. Ukraine reacted furiously to the warning, calling it “shameless blackmail” and accusing Moscow of trying to intimidate the diplomatic community. The threat comes just after one of the biggest Russian assaults on Kyiv in recent months, during which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched 90 missiles and 600 drones.