Kremlin's Threats of Escalation After Massive Drone Assault on Moscow Oil Refinery

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, declared that the Kremlin will unleash "massive coordinated strikes on a regular basis" in retaliation for a drone assault that struck Moscow's oil refinery twice in one week.

Retired lieutenant general Andrey Gurulyov demanded that Russia "strike the enemy mercilessly," ramping up calls for aggressive military action following the unprecedented aerial assault.

Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stark warning: “If Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn.” This came after Ukraine launched a heavy drone strike against Russia, responding to damage inflicted on a historic monastery in Kyiv.

Hundreds of drones targeted Moscow overnight, marking one of the most significant aerial assaults on Russia during the ongoing conflict.

Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's desire for peace, stating, “We don't want this war, we never did, and everyone knows it.” His message was sent via WhatsApp to reporters.

A senior US defense official urged NATO allies to bolster their support for Ukraine, advocating for increased procurement of American-made weapons to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Elbridge Colby, under secretary of war for policy, highlighted the importance of continued and enhanced support through the PURL Initiative to ensure vital supplies reach Ukrainian forces.

In a separate incident, Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, accused Ukraine of killing a key worker in a drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Ukraine has not responded to this claim, and independent verification remains unconfirmed.

Rosatom took control of the Zaporizhzhia plant shortly after Russian forces entered Ukraine in 2022. Both sides routinely accuse each other of jeopardizing safety at the facility through military actions.

Likhachev reported that Ukrainian drones attacked Enerhodar, where many plant employees reside, resulting in one death and another employee critically injured.

He stated, "This is the plant's core personnel, on whom the safe operation of equipment at Europe's largest nuclear power plant directly depends." In April, another worker was reportedly killed in a similar drone attack.

Zelensky announced an agreement with Germany regarding anti-ballistic capabilities and called on Western allies to contribute and deliver results by winter.

During a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Zelensky stressed the urgent need for long-range artillery and unmanned vehicles while advocating for new financial instruments to support the Ukrainian military long-term.

NATO’s secretary general addressed concerns raised by Pete Hegseth regarding US contributions to the alliance, asserting that NATO is diligently working to meet targets.

He acknowledged that while some countries are excelling in defense investments, others must step up their efforts amid ongoing threats from Russia.

Poland and Baltic nations have taken proactive measures in defense spending due to heightened concerns stemming from drone skirmishes along their borders as Russia's war in Ukraine persists.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported that Russia has launched over 1,500 drone attacks on Ukrainian ports since the start of 2026.

Despite these assaults, Kuleba confirmed that Ukraine's maritime export corridor remains operational, with ports handling 40 million tons of cargo this year.

NATO’s secretary general remarked that Vladimir Putin must decide whether he wants to engage diplomatically or continue hostilities.

He emphasized the necessity of ensuring Ukraine remains strong in its fight against Russian aggression.

The secretary general noted that up to 48 percent of Russia's state budget is now allocated to defense spending, labeling these figures as "crazy numbers."

He cautioned against naivety regarding Russia's intentions and affirmed NATO's strength and commitment to deter any potential attacks on the alliance.

Russia’s foreign minister reiterated that targets affecting Ukraine’s military capabilities will be regularly struck following significant attacks in the Moscow region.

On Thursday alone, Russian forces reportedly downed an estimated 180 drones aimed at the capital.

Lavrov confirmed that Russia will conduct "massive coordinated strikes on a regular basis" against Ukraine moving forward.