A Ukrainian drone strike has set an oil refinery in the Moscow region on fire, marking a further escalation in the long-range campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. The blaze broke out after drones reached the facility, according to reports from the region on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
The attack is the latest in a series of Ukrainian operations targeting refineries and fuel depots deep inside Russian territory. Such strikes have become a central element of Kyiv's strategy to disrupt supply lines and apply economic pressure far from the front lines. The full extent of the damage at the refinery was not immediately clear, and there was no instant confirmation of casualties.
In a separate diplomatic development, France has called on Russia to reverse its decision to place the Russian subsidiaries of the French retailers Auchan and Leroy Merlin under state control. Paris described the move as unjustified and urged Moscow to reconsider, adding a new point of friction to already strained relations between Russia and European governments.
The two retail chains have operated in Russia for years and employ thousands of workers there. Their seizure by Russian authorities follows a pattern of similar actions against foreign-owned assets since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Western governments have repeatedly criticised such measures as violations of international investment rules.
The refinery fire and the French appeal illustrate how the war continues to reshape both the battlefield and the broader economic relationship between Russia and Europe. While Ukrainian drones focus on energy infrastructure, the dispute over corporate assets shows that the conflict's consequences extend well beyond military engagements.
Details of the refinery strike remained limited in the immediate aftermath, with emergency services reportedly working at the scene. The incident adds to a growing list of attacks on Russian industrial sites, which have at times caused temporary fuel shortages and forced authorities to adjust export schedules.
France's demand regarding Auchan and Leroy Merlin underscores the wider diplomatic pressure on Moscow. The French government has not indicated what further steps it might take if Russia refuses to return control of the subsidiaries to their parent companies.
Both developments are being closely watched as they unfold, with the situation on the ground and the diplomatic response continuing to evolve.