Ukrainian Drones Blow The Lid Off Moscow Refinery
Ukrainian drones struck the Kapotnya oil refinery in southeast Moscow for the second time in three days on June 18, 2026, igniting fires that spewed black smoke across the Russian capital and disrupting flight operations at all four of its major airports.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defenses destroyed nearly 200 drones approaching the capital overnight, but acknowledged several had hit the refinery. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported more than 550 Ukrainian drones intercepted across multiple regions in 24 hours.
The refinery, located about 10 miles from the Kremlin, supplies approximately 40% of Moscow’s fuel market and 70% of the surrounding region’s gasoline and aviation fuel, according to East2West News. It was previously struck on June 16.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strikes a “fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X, “Your country started a war of aggression against ours. For years, it has been killing our people.”
Moscow regional governor Andrei Vorobyov said 17 people were injured, including two children. All four Moscow airports suspended operations, with more than 500 flights canceled or delayed, the Russian business daily Kommersant reported. Sooty rain fell on vehicles and surfaces in districts near the refinery, though Moscow authorities said air quality remained within acceptable limits.
Russia, the world’s third-largest oil producer, is set to import fuel by sea this month, Reuters reported, as gasoline shortages spread across several regions. The federal anti-monopoly watchdog said it had asked a major retailer to explain a 19% price hike on the most popular gasoline grade in the past week.
The attack came hours after Zelenskyy said he held a coordination call with U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit in France, where Ukraine’s Western backers pledged continued support.
Putin, who was in Kazan hosting a summit of Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders, did not comment on the attack.
