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Ukrainian Drone Strikes Rattle Moscow Economy and Oil Infrastructure

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Ukrainian drone attacks struck Moscow's suburbs over the weekend, hitting residential buildings in Khimki and targeting oil facilities in Zelenograd. The strikes killed four people and wounded at least 15, marking a significant escalation as the conflict reaches Russia's capital region. These attacks represent a strategic shift toward Russian oil infrastructure, which funds the Kremlin's war effort.

Residents described chaotic scenes with no warning systems in place, as Telegram alerts are restricted and sirens nonexistent. The psychological impact runs deep in communities previously insulated from combat. Local business owners like salon operator Letizia Lorans reported panic attacks and sleepless nights fearing more strikes.

Ukraine's campaign specifically targets Zelenograd's semiconductor facilities and petroleum storage sites, disrupting critical manufacturing hubs. This industrial damage could strain Russia's already pressured economy, particularly as oil revenue faces direct assault. The strikes coincide with growing public discontent over war-related price increases and internet restrictions.

Polls show 62% of Russians now favor immediate negotiations, though Moscow residents lagged at 36% before these attacks. With parliamentary elections approaching, the economic disruption from ongoing strikes may pressure Putin's domestic position. The war's expansion into Russia's economic heartland signals deteriorating conditions for Moscow's long-term fiscal stability.