Ukraine launches its largest drone attack on Moscow, injuring 17

[00:00:00]In Ukraine's largest drone assault on Moscow since the start of the full-scale war, a major oil refinery was damaged on Thursday. This attack sparked massive fires and sent debris falling across the surrounding region. At least 17 people were injured in the barrage, which formed part of a broader Ukrainian strike, targeting multiple areas. Tessa Bennett joins us live in studio with the details on this attack. Tessa, >> Misa, KE has been stepping up its long-range attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in recent weeks.

[00:00:29]something Ukrainian President Vetoir Zalinski says is a key strategy to force Moscow to end the war. Zalinski says this most recent attack was a justified response to Russia targeting a historic UNESCO listed monastery.

[00:00:50]>> Russia's capital was shrouded in black smoke on Thursday after Ukraine launched its largest drone offensive in Moscow since the beginning of the war. Some of the drones targeted a major oil refinery, causing huge fires and covering the city in debris. Officials say at least 17 people were injured in the swath of attacks across Russia.

[00:01:10]Moscow's mayor says air defenses shot down nearly 200 drones bound for the Russian capital, far higher than other days of heavy attacks when drones only numbered in the double digits, providing an example of Kev's improved drone capabilities. I mean, officially what the Ukrainians are saying is that they are attacking infrastructure that supplies the war machine of Russia and that these are legitimate targets.

[00:01:36]>> With added support behind the Ukrainian army, President Womir Zalinski has been stepping up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and called Thursday's attack a justified response to Russia's attack on a UNESCO listed monastery complex earlier this week. Silinsky told reporters, "Ukraine never wanted this war. But if Ukraine is engulfed in flames, so will your Moscow be." When the war first began and the Biden administration was still in the White House, the use of US supplied weaponry was restricted to Ukrainian conquered territory of Russia for fear that Russia would retaliate with nuclear weapons.

[00:02:12]While President Donald Trump has minimized the overall support given to Ukraine since returning to office, he's also eased those territory restrictions.

[00:02:21]>> Ukraine has become the world's leading user developer of drones and this is quite remarkable given the allout attack by Russia. So now the new paradigm is that the war is being brought home to Russia. It comes as NATO defense ministers gathered in Brussels.

[00:02:41]>> Putin must accept that his cons consistently brutal war against Ukraine makes no sense. His persistent refusal to accept reality has massive consequences for Ukraine. I have said it before, but I say it again very clearly.

[00:02:58]This is nothing but terror. Germany and Britain pledged new support packages to bolster Ukraine's defenses, including air defense systems, guided missiles, and air-to-air missiles. This war was never only about the fate of one nation.

[00:03:14]Ukrainians are fighting for their own security, but also for Europe's and they're also fighting for their own values and for Europe's. We will stand with them today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes. But experts say another key element to Ukraine's potential success is securing more Patriot missiles from the United States.

[00:03:36]>> Even though Ukrainian defenses have become far more capable, they have not been able to bring down sophisticated Russian ballistic missiles. Only the Patriot missiles, the most advanced version of those missiles have been able to do that and they are in short supply.

[00:03:52]United States would be very reluctant to even sell them, never mind just transfer them.

[00:03:59]>> In response to the massive drone attack, Moscow will reportedly begin to launch regular strikes against new targets in Ukraine that impact the armed forces combat readiness.