Moscow Hit by Record Drone Attack: 17 Wounded, Putin Vows Retaliation

In the early hours of June 18, 2026, Moscow faced its largest drone assault in two years, with over 190 unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the Russian capital. Russian air defense systems intercepted 194 drones, but several managed to strike key infrastructure, including a shopping mall, a residential building, and the Moscow Oil Refinery—a critical fuel supplier for the capital and surrounding regions. The attack left 17 people injured, among them two children, and caused significant damage: the refinery was hit, a shopping center was damaged, and a residential building's facade was severely destroyed, with debris falling onto parking lots and playgrounds.

The assault disrupted civilian life across Moscow. Four major airports, including Sheremetyevo International Airport, imposed flight restrictions, leading to delays and the evacuation of passengers to shelters. Several major highways within and around the city were closed for security reasons. This marked the second drone strike against Moscow in a week, following a Tuesday attack that also targeted the oil refinery.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv launched the strikes, stating they were retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and neighborhoods. He noted that Ukrainian forces targeted sites in Moscow, Rostov, and other regions. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was in Kazan attending a Russia-ASEAN summit, ordered the Russian military to intensify strikes against objectives that directly sustain Ukrainian combat capabilities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov echoed this vow, stating that Russian forces would conduct dense strikes on targets that maintain Ukraine's fighting ability.

The escalation comes as diplomatic efforts remain stalled. U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently reached a deal with Iran, signaled that his attention would now shift back to Russia and Ukraine, having previously mediated peace talks between the two nations.