Expert Krutikhin: Moscow is vulnerable due to water supply stations and oil depots

Critical infrastructure instead of administrative centres

Russian oil and gas sector specialist Mykhailo Krutikhin stated that to deliver a significant blow to the Russian capital, it is not necessary to specifically target the buildings of the Federal Security Service or the General Staff. In his assessment, there are between five and seven facilities in Moscow whose damage would be felt by all city residents.

The expert outlined his conclusions on the YouTube channel of Yevhen Kiseliov. This conversation took place the day after a massive Russian strike on Kyiv's energy infrastructure.

List of vulnerable facilities

Among the city's most vulnerable points, Krutikhin highlighted:

• water supply stations;
• sewage treatment facilities;
• airports;
• oil depots.

He emphasised that damage to such infrastructure could have widespread consequences for everyday life in the Russian Federation's capital.

Insufficient effectiveness of drone defence

The expert also questioned the effectiveness of protecting Russian industrial facilities from drones. According to him, protective nets and structures referred to as "mangals" do not guarantee reliable protection against attacks.

As an illustration of his point, Krutikhin cited the example of the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya. On 20 September, drones attacked this enterprise, resulting in fires at both primary oil processing units. According to Reuters data, the refinery halted raw material processing.

Energy crisis and prospects

The expert also considers Moscow's substations to be vulnerable. He noted that damaged transformers cannot be replaced quickly.

For context, it is worth noting that on the night of 30 September, Russia attacked the energy infrastructure of Kyiv and the region with nearly 190 drones and ballistic missiles. Following these strikes, fires broke out at the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant and the Kyiv TEC-5.

Krutikhin predicts an intensification of Ukraine's response to Russian attacks. According to him, Kyiv is expected to receive ballistic missiles by the end of autumn.