A Powerful Strike By The Ukrainian Armed Forces On Moscow: New Details

• 16.06.2026, 15:24

Ukrainian drones outsmarted Russian air defenses.

The Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya, which on June 16 was attacked by drones, is located 15 km from the Kremlin and near the Moscow Ring Road. Because of this, the Ukrainian UAVs had to penetrate three rings of air defense provided by the Pantsir air defense systems.

This is stated in an analysis Defense Express.

As experts note, the Russians are forming a fourth “giant” ring of air defense. Therefore, in order to break through to Moscow and reach the oil refinery, Ukrainian drones had to overcome as many as four air defense rings, not counting other systems that were located along the route from the Ukrainian border.

According to preliminary estimates, the drones flew past at least five "Pantsir" systems installed on towers or elevated positions. However, a more accurate assessment of their number is only possible by knowing the drones’ flight path and the systems’ field of view, writes DF.

In addition to air defense systems, the Moscow Oil Refinery was protected by anti-drone nets. However, as footage published by local residents shows, even these were unable to withstand the attack. The extent of the damage is still unknown, but there is a possibility that the refinery will be able to quickly resume operations and “will need more.”

Analysts noted that this is not the first attack on the refinery. Ukrainian drones carried out strikes in September 2024, March 2025, and May 2026. However, the latest strike was likely the “most successful.”