18.06.2026 18:00
Ukraine's attack on Russia's capital Moscow with over 190 drones has reignited the war. Following the attacks targeting an oil refinery, a shopping center, and residential areas, all flights at Moscow airports were suspended, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced "retaliation." Lavrov stated that they would continue to conduct intensive strikes on military targets in Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced that they will continue to strike military targets in Ukraine in response to Kiev's attacks.
LAVROV: WE WILL STRIKE UKRAINE'S MILITARY FACILITIES
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in a statement to journalists in Kazan, the capital of Russia's Tatarstan, assessed the Ukrainian army's overnight attack on the capital Moscow with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously instructed the Russian army to systematically attack military facilities in Ukraine, Lavrov said, "This goal was set by the President. Our armed forces are fulfilling it and will continue to do so."
Minister Lavrov emphasized that real steps, rather than words, must be taken against Ukraine's attacks.
ATTACK ON MOSCOW WITH OVER 190 UAVs
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated in a post on his social media account that over 190 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down by air defense systems over Moscow.
Sobyanin noted that necessary work was being carried out at the site where UAV fragments fell and stated that air defense systems continue to operate.
Sobyanin also stated that damage occurred due to the attacks in the area of the Sadovod shopping center, one of Moscow's largest markets, and said, "There were no injuries, emergency services are continuing their work at the debris site."
MOSCOW OIL REFINERY STRUCK
Sobyanin previously stated that although Russian air defense systems continued to repel attacks on Moscow, several UAVs managed to reach the Moscow Oil Refinery, and all measures were being taken to mitigate the negative effects that might arise after the incident.
As a result of the attacks, some sections of Moscow's ring road have been closed, and drivers are being offered alternative routes.
The attacks by Ukrainian UAVs are reported to be among the most intense attacks on Moscow and its surroundings this year.
Officials reported that some homes in the Moscow region were also damaged in the UAV attacks and that precautions were being taken.
Thick smoke was seen covering the city in the areas of the Moscow Oil Refinery and the Sadovod shopping center, and the fire at the refinery was ongoing.
Images of UAVs hitting some residential buildings in Moscow and the fire at the refinery were also shared on social media.
FLIGHTS SUSPENDED AT MOSCOW AIRPORTS
In a statement from the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya), it was reported that Moscow's Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports were temporarily not accepting or sending flights.
The statement indicated that civil aviation activities in the Moscow region were under special control, and the restrictions were implemented to ensure flight safety.
The statement added that additional personnel were assigned to airports to support passengers, terminal services had switched to an enhanced work schedule, and the situation in the terminals remained calm.
In another statement from Russia's largest airline, Aeroflot, it was announced that if a flight is canceled, passengers should not come to the airport and should process ticket refunds or changes remotely via Aeroflot's website or mobile application.
ZELENSKYY CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATTACKS
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated in a post on his social media account that they continue their attacks on targets in Russia.
Zelenskyy reported that they carried out long-range attacks on the Moscow region again tonight.
Noting that the oil refinery in Moscow was attacked for the second time in the past week, Zelenskyy stated that they also attacked targets in Russia's Rostov region.
Stating that they also carried out attacks on targets belonging to the Russian army in the occupied regions of Ukraine, Zelenskyy shared the view that "This is a completely fair response to Russian attacks on our cities and settlements."
Thanking the Ukrainian army's missile and unmanned systems commands, Zelenskyy said, "All our allies have appreciated the precision and effectiveness of our medium and long-range attacks these days. It is time to end this war, and Russia must take the necessary steps regarding diplomacy."
Zelenskyy also shared an image that was claimed to be from the attacks they carried out.