Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow since the war began, sending nearly 200 drones toward the Russian capital, reports the BBC. The strikes caused fires at an oil refinery and other sites, injured 17 people near Moscow, and disrupted hundreds of flights.
Ukrainian drones struck the Moscow Oil Refinery for the second time in a week, sending flames and thick smoke over the Russian capital. President Zelenskiy called it a ‘fair’ response to Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities https://t.co/jY3FVie2vo pic.twitter.com/ahuYzL7m9P
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 18, 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack was retaliation for recent Russian strikes on Kyiv and a signal that Russia should pursue diplomacy to end the war. Russia said it intercepted almost 1,000 drones nationwide, while Ukraine reported that Russia launched more than 200 drones and several missiles against Ukrainian targets the same night.
Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone campaign against Russian oil refineries, striking facilities like the Syzran refinery multiple times—part of at least 158 reported attacks since the war began. The Russian news site, Bot Tak, reports that major refineries across Russia, including those in Ryazan, Saratov, and several in the south, have been repeatedly targeted, with only a few large plants beyond the Urals still untouched.
Ukraine has launched one of its biggest drone attacks on Russia, with Moscow’s mayor saying about 200 were intercepted over the capital and nearly 1,000 nationwide. An oil refinery was hit again, leaving at least one dead and 17 injured.
Al Jazeera’s Ferdia Carr reports. pic.twitter.com/Omoq0mQRNx
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 18, 2026
The strikes have increasingly disrupted Russia’s refining sector, forcing temporary shutdowns and reducing output. By 2026, the frequency of attacks had risen further, with Ukraine describing them as “long-range sanctions” aimed at weakening Russia’s fuel supply and oil revenues.
Ukraine Strikes on Russian Gas and Oil Facilities
Russia is set to import gasoline by sea, according to Reuters, as fuel shortages grow after repeated Ukrainian drone attacks damaged refineries and fuel infrastructure. Shortages have been reported in multiple regions, and domestic production has struggled to keep up with demand.
To preserve supplies, Russia has banned gasoline exports and is turning to imports from abroad—a notable shift for a country that is usually a major fuel exporter.
These attacks highlight Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russian territory despite Moscow’s extensive air defenses.
