There's Quite A Commotion In Moscow

• 17.06.2026, 15:43

Aerial platforms manned by military personnel have begun appearing in the Russian capital to shoot down drones.

In the Russian capital, aerial platforms manned by armed soldiers have begun to be deployed to combat Ukrainian drones. One of them was spotted near Moscow City. Photographic evidence was published by journalist Alexander Plyushchev. According to him, a similar post has been set up in Kapotnya, where Gazprom Neft’s Moscow oil refinery is located, as noted by the website The Moscow Times.

The facility was attacked by drones on June 16, resulting in a fire. Reuters sources reported damage to the AVT-6 primary oil refining unit, which has a capacity of 21,4 thousand ‌metric tons per day (53% of the refinery’s capacity). According to their reports, the plant, which produces gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, and tar, was shut down as a safety measure.

Ukrainian drones continue to strike targets in Moscow, despite the fact that the authorities are actively strengthening the city’s defenses. For example, after the capital was subjected to one of the largest drone attacks since the start of the war on May 17, at least seven new towers equipped with “Pantsir” anti-aircraft missile systems appeared to the north and east of the city, as evidenced by satellite images. In addition, similar anti-aircraft missile systems were installed on the roofs of a number of residential and office buildings.