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Jun 18, 2026 Major3
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Moscow hit by largest Ukrainian drone attack since full-scale war began

Moscow experienced its largest Ukrainian drone attack since the full-scale war began, with nearly 200 drones striking the capital and causing significant casualties, infrastructure damage, and widespread disruptions including airport closures. President Zelensky characterized the assault as retaliation for recent Russian attacks and called for diplomatic resolution to the conflict.





Quick Facts
Who
Volodymyr Zelensky
What
Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow
When
June 2026
Where
Moscow, Russia
- Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow
- Strike on Kapotnya refinery
- Strike on oil depot in Rostov region
- Fires at shopping centre
- Evacuation of residential buildings
Moscow has been targeted by the largest Ukrainian drone attack since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022, with close to 200 drones striking targets across the Russian capital and surrounding regions. The assault created thick columns of smoke visible across the city and caused significant damage to critical infrastructure and civilian areas. Seventeen people were wounded in the Moscow region according to local governor Andrei Vorobyov, while an additional fatality was reported in the southern Rostov region following a strike on an oil depot.
The Kapotnya refinery in south-east Moscow was hit for the third time in a month and the second time within the week, with fires engulfing the facility and nearby civilian infrastructure including a shopping centre. Video footage showed the lid of a large oil storage tank blown dozens of metres into the air by the force of explosions. Moscow's four airports were temporarily shut down, resulting in the cancellation or delay of more than 500 flights. Several residential high-rise blocks were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Russia's defence ministry reported intercepting and destroying nearly 1,000 drones and four Ukrainian cruise missiles within 24 hours across the country. However, the sheer scale of the Ukrainian attack demonstrated that some systems penetrated Moscow's extensive air defences, which have been significantly expanded since Ukraine first successfully conducted drone strikes on the capital in spring 2023. Ukrainian tactics included deploying reconnaissance and decoy drones to map air defence density before launching main strikes.
President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the assault as retaliation for Russia's attack on Kyiv the previous week, which damaged a major religious landmark. He stated that Ukraine does not seek war but warned that if Russian aggression continues, Moscow will face similar consequences. Using the euphemism "long-range sanctions" for Ukrainian strikes, Zelensky called for Russia to pursue diplomatic solutions to end the conflict. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasized Russia's responsibility, noting that the country initiated aggression and must end it.
The attack reflects Ukraine's broader strategy of "bringing the war home" to ordinary Russians by targeting key infrastructure far from the front lines, approximately 500 kilometres from the Ukrainian border. Meanwhile, Russia conducted its own overnight offensive, launching more than 200 drones and multiple ballistic missiles at Ukrainian targets. President Vladimir Putin, attending a southeast Asian leaders summit in Kazan, made no public comment on the large-scale attack on the Russian capital, despite local authorities across Russia banning the publication of images documenting the damage.
Topics
Why This Matters
This attack demonstrates Ukraine's capability to strike deep into Russian territory despite Moscow's expanded air defences, directly affecting civilian infrastructure and daily life for ordinary Russians. It marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's strategy to bring the war's economic and civilian costs home, potentially influencing public pressure on the Kremlin for negotiations. The scale of the assault—intercepting nearly 1,000 drones—reveals the intensity of the ongoing air war and challenges assumptions about Russia's defensive capabilities.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 17, 2026
WireRussia launches attack on Kyiv, damaging major religious landmark
Jun 18, 2026
WireUkraine launches largest drone attack on Moscow since full-scale war began
Jun 18, 2026
WireBBC publishes reports on Moscow drone attack