18.06.2026 09:11
Moscow, the capital of Russia, was targeted by a large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack during the night. In the attack, which involved approximately 180 UAVs, the Moscow Oil Refinery was hit, and the roof of a building was blown off by the force of the explosion. Flights at four major airports in the capital were suspended.
As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, the flames of war once again reached Moscow, the heart of Russia. An intense drone attack on the capital during the night hours caused panic and widespread damage in the city.
SOBYANIN ANNOUNCED: 180 DRONES DESTROYED
The first official statement on the scale of the attack came from Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. Informing the public via his social media account, Sobyanin stated that Russian air defense systems were working non-stop to repel the intense drone attack on the city.
Sobyanin reported that approximately 180 drones heading toward Moscow during the night were destroyed, confirming that some drones bypassed the air defense network and reached the Moscow Oil Refinery. The Mayor emphasized that all necessary measures were rapidly taken to address the consequences of the attack and prevent potential dangers.
ROOF OF HIT REFINERY BLOWN OFF
The clearest and most terrifying moments of the attack emerged through amateur camera footage reflected on social media. As the Moscow Oil Refinery was hit, a massive explosion occurred, showing the roof of a building within the facility being blown into the sky within seconds, with thick smoke rising from the area. Firefighting teams are continuing to intervene in the large blaze.
FLIGHTS GROUNDED AT 4 MAJOR AIRPORTS IN THE CAPITAL
The intense military activity and security threat in the airspace also paralyzed civil aviation. A state of emergency was declared in Moscow's vital air transportation networks due to the attack. As a result, strict restrictions were imposed on aircraft landings and takeoffs at the capital's Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports.
SECOND TARGET AFTER THE ATTACK ON JUNE 16
The Moscow Oil Refinery, one of the most important fuel production facilities in Russia's capital region, had recently been the target of a similar attack. The facility was also damaged in a drone attack on June 16, and the fire that broke out at the refinery site was extinguished after lengthy efforts by teams. The latest attack revealed that the threat to the capital's energy infrastructure is growing increasingly.