Image: from Clash Report X @clashreport
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Ukraine launched its largest drone assault on Moscow in years on Thursday, triggering fires across the Russian capital and surrounding areas, damaging a major oil refinery and temporarily shutting down all of the city’s airports, according to Russian officials.
The unprecedented strike wounded at least 17 people and caused significant disruption across Moscow, as Ukrainian forces intensified their long-range campaign against strategic infrastructure inside Russia.
Large plumes of black smoke rose over southern Moscow throughout the morning, with residents reporting explosions, falling debris, and emergency response operations across multiple districts.
🇺🇦🇷🇺 — FOOTAGE: Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in two years overnight, with Russian officials saying air defenses intercepted 194 drones targeting the capital. One reported target was Moscow’s Kapotnya oil refinery, where video showed heavy smoke and… pic.twitter.com/3VBLvq9s7E
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) June 18, 2026
Oil Refinery Hit
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that several drones reached the Moscow oil refinery, one of the capital’s most important energy facilities. While authorities did not immediately provide a detailed assessment of the damage, roads surrounding the refinery were closed as emergency crews responded to the incident.
The refinery strike marks the second attack on the facility this week and reflects Kyiv’s growing focus on targeting energy infrastructure that supports Russia’s military operations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously described such operations as “long-range sanctions,” aimed at increasing the economic costs of the war for Moscow.
Ukrainian drones attacked the Moscow refinery again.
The Russian air force and army have been unable to detect them in their airspace.
This refinery supplies just over 40% of the fuel consumed in the city. pic.twitter.com/pN9fVHUQY5— Juan Manuel Ríos P (@jmriosp) June 18, 2026
Fires Across the Capital
Authorities reported that drone impacts and falling debris ignited fires in residential and commercial areas.
A shopping centre near Moscow’s suburbs caught fire, while another drone struck an apartment building, sending smoke pouring from the upper floors. Emergency services evacuated residents from affected structures as firefighters battled multiple blazes.
Witnesses described scenes rarely seen in the Russian capital since the start of the war.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” one Moscow resident told reporters after observing the smoke columns spreading across the skyline.
Another resident said she had been awakened by the sound of explosions and described the situation as frightening.
Airports Temporarily Closed
The attack forced the temporary closure of all Moscow airports, causing widespread disruption to air traffic.
Sheremetyevo Airport, Russia’s busiest aviation hub, evacuated passengers to designated safe areas before resuming operations later in the day. Hundreds of flights were delayed or diverted as authorities assessed potential threats.
The closures highlight the growing challenge posed by long-range drone attacks against Russia’s transportation infrastructure.
Russia Claims Hundreds of Drones Intercepted
Russian air defense systems reportedly intercepted around 180 drones approaching Moscow and more than 500 drones across the country overnight, according to the Defense Ministry.
A separate Ukrainian strike in the southern Rostov region killed one person, local officials said.
The scale of the attack underscores Kyiv’s expanding ability to conduct deep strikes inside Russian territory, targeting military, industrial, and energy facilities far from the front lines.
Ukraine and Russia Exchange Strikes
The Moscow assault came as Russia continued its own large-scale attacks against Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces launched more than 200 drones and multiple ballistic missiles overnight. In the city of Dnipro, Ukrainian authorities reported one death and nine injuries following Russian strikes.
Air raid alerts were issued across several Ukrainian regions, with residents seeking shelter as explosions echoed through parts of Kyiv.
Summit Overshadowed
The attack coincided with a summit in Kazan attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders from several Southeast Asian nations.
Putin appeared publicly alongside foreign leaders throughout the day but made no direct reference to the strikes during his opening remarks.
The Kremlin has sought to project stability despite increasingly frequent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. Earlier this month, similar drone operations targeted Saint Petersburg during a major economic forum, prompting Moscow to strengthen air defense measures and impose additional restrictions on civilian airspace.
Diplomatic Efforts Remain Stalled
The escalation comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain largely frozen. While international leaders continue to call for negotiations, both sides have intensified military operations in recent weeks.
Zelensky defended the latest attacks as a response to Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, including recent damage to historic and cultural sites in Kyiv.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for a negotiated settlement, stating earlier this week that Moscow should seek an agreement to end the conflict.
More than four years after the start of the war, the latest exchanges demonstrate that neither side is showing signs of reducing military pressure, even as international efforts to restart peace talks continue.