Ukraine strikes Russian refineries and energy infrastructure as Russia repositions air defenses toward Moscow and key sites

Zelenskyy, in his nightly address late Wednesday, said Russia has amassed "hundreds of launchers" for air defense missiles in the Moscow region alone and has redeployed roughly 90 launchers to Valdai — a town approximately 500 kilometers northwest of Moscow where President Vladimir Putin maintains a residence — from other parts of the country. The repositioning, Zelenskyy said, reflects pressure from Ukraine's expanding long-range drone campaign, which he said is now reaching targets as far as 1,500 kilometers from the front line.

Ukraine's strikes have targeted Russian military installations and energy infrastructure in recent months. Zelenskyy reported overnight hits on two oil refineries in Ufa and an oil depot in the Krasnodar region. Reuters, cited by the Washington Examiner, reported that the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya — described as one of Russia's largest oil processing facilities and a key fuel supplier for the Moscow region — was struck twice in June and will remain offline until at least the end of the year. At a Kremlin meeting, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told Putin the fuel market situation was "challenging but manageable" and described emergency measures including a total ban on petroleum and aviation fuel exports.

Russia also launched a ballistic missile and 90 long-range drones at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force. One drone struck a gas station in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, injuring four people; regional officials said Russian forces have struck the region's gas stations 13 times in June. A separate Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia injured one person and damaged another gas station.