Ukraine struck a major Moscow oil refinery Thursday for a second time in a week, sending huge plumes of black smoke over the capital and disrupting hundreds of flights at its airports in one of its biggest drone attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion over four years ago, officials said.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil facilities , aiming to cut Moscow’s revenue for the war and make Russians feel the consequences of the invasion. Some areas have reported fuel shortages .
The attack by dozens of drones came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held “an important coordination call” with the presidents of the United States and France and had won key pledges of further support from this week’s G7 summit.
“If Ukraine is going to burn, your Moscow will burn too,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the attack was part of Kyiv’s effort to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. “It is time to end the aggression, time to end this war.”
Black smoke rises from the area of the Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft's Moscow oil refinery on the south-eastern outskirts of Moscow on June 18, 2026. Moscow was fending off a "large-scale" drone attack from Ukraine, with several drones reaching an oil refinery, the city's mayor Sergey Sobyanin said early on June 18, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
Ukrainian Attack Embarrasses Putin Again
The Moscow attack was the latest embarrassment for Putin. Ukrainian drones attacked his hometown of St. Petersburg earlier this month as he welcomed foreign VIPs to his showcase economic forum in the city.
Putin on Thursday was in Kazan, some 700 kilometers (430 miles) east of Moscow, hosting leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as Russia seeks to bolster business and other ties with the regional bloc.
Russia’s state-controlled TV channels only briefly mentioned the attack on Moscow. Pro-Kremlin newspapers reported it, with some praising the performance of air defenses while noting that the strike highlighted the need to further strengthen the defensive shield around the capital.
Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the lower house of Russia’s parliament, warned that Moscow would respond by ramping up its strikes.
“Their action will lead to our counteraction and launching harsher blows, with more powerful weapons,” Volodin said in televised remarks.
Some Russian hawks urged the Kremlin to respond with nuclear weapons. Nationalist Konstantin Malofeyev criticized the military for “fighting at half-strength in a gentlemanlike way.”
Black smoke billows from the area of Gazprom Neft's Moscow oil refinery, located on the southeastern outskirts of Moscow, on June 18, 2026, following what the Russian capital's mayor described as a "large-scale" drone attack by Ukraine. Moscow came under one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks since the start of the war, with an oil refinery struck and around 200 drones intercepted on their approach to the Russian capital, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Thursday. Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images
“War means victory at any cost,” Malofeyev wrote on his Telegram channel, suggesting the use of “the nuclear weapons that our ancestors created and stockpiled while mobilizing the entire country’s strength precisely for this purpose -– to win.”
Fires Rage At Moscow Refinery
Thick, black smoke and occasional flames spewed from the Moscow Oil Refinery amid its red-and-white smokestacks on the southeastern edge of the city, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Kremlin. Sooty, black rain fell on cars, according to local video.
“One of the most popular questions asked by Muscovites this morning is ‘What is going on?’” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. “I can answer. Your country started a war of aggression against ours. For years, it has been killing our people. Now that you know what’s going on, ask Putin when he is planning to end it.”
The refinery is one of Russia’s biggest, according to its website, producing more than a third of the Moscow region’s fuel. It was last attacked by Ukraine on Tuesday, but officials said that fire was swiftly put out.
Thursday’s fire at the refinery was “largely contained,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said hours afterward, adding that remaining hotspots were being extinguished.
As Ukraine pressed its strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, fuel supplies appeared to be under strain. Gas station chains in multiple regions have introduced restrictions on what drivers could buy. Russian independent news outlet Agentstvo reported that one out of every four gas stations has introduced some kind of restrictions.
This photo provided by Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev's official telegram channel shows smoke rising from a damaged building after a Ukrainian drone attack outside Moscow on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev's official telegram channel via AP) Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vo
Authorities in the capital…
Read the full article at HuffPost →📄Source document: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
12 reports
Bloomberg NewsParty-aligned🔒Center2 days agoFollowing Ukraine's largest drone strike on Moscow, concerns have emerged regarding potential fuel shortages and increasing gasoline prices in the city.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly favoring any political perspective. It reports on the consequences of an event (Ukraine's drone strike) without using biased language or selectively presenting information to support a particular viewpoint.
The New York Times (World)Independent🔒Center2 days agoThe New York Times reports on a recent drone attack in Moscow that has raised Ukrainian hopes of escalating the conflict into Russian territory.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report without overtly biased language or framing. It focuses on the event itself rather than taking a stance on its implications or assigning blame.
CBS News (US)IndependentCenter2 days agoUkraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Moscow, targeting a major oil refinery and other locations. This marks the largest such attack on the Russian capital since the invasion began over four years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as a retaliatory measure.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on the event as stated by Ukrainian officials without providing additional context or commentary that would indicate a clear ideological leaning.
Official sources cited
- government Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Fox News (World)IndependentRight3 days agoUkraine conducted a significant drone attack on a major oil refinery in Moscow, causing fires and emitting thick black smoke. This marks the second such strike on the facility in three days. Russian officials confirmed the attack and stated that air defenses intercepted incoming drones. The incident highlights Ukraine's growing capability to target critical infrastructure within Russia, signaling a shift in the conflict.
Bias read (Right): The article emphasizes Ukraine's military success and frames the strikes as evidence of a 'new phase of the war,' suggesting a narrative of Ukrainian strength and Russian vulnerability. It also references Zelenskyy's communication with Western leaders, which aligns with pro-Ukrainian messaging often
Official sources cited
- government Russian officials
The Washington TimesIndependentCenter3 days agoUkraine conducted a drone attack on a major oil refinery in Moscow for the second time in a week, disrupting commercial flights at the city's airports. This marks one of the largest such attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine over four years ago, according to Russian officials. The attack occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly secured additional support commitments from U.S. and French leaders during a G7 summit. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with NATO and EU leaders in Brussels to discuss potential measures to defend against Russian ballistic
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or framing. It reports on events objectively, citing both Ukrainian actions and Russian responses without taking a clear stance.
NBC NewsIndependentCenter3 days agoThe article reports on Ukraine launching drone attacks on a major Moscow oil refinery. It also includes other headlines related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including reports of attacks on Russian targets, fuel shortages in Crimea, and statements from both Putin and Zelenskyy.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual reporting without overtly biased language or one-sided sourcing. It includes multiple headlines covering various aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, providing a broad overview rather than emphasizing one side over the other.
HuffPostParty-alignedLeft3 days agoUkraine launched a significant drone attack targeting a major oil refinery in Moscow, causing disruptions to commercial flights and creating large plumes of black smoke. The attack occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed to have secured additional support from U.S. and French leaders following the G7 summit. Officials noted that some areas experienced fuel shortages due to the attack.
Bias read (Left): The article emphasizes Ukraine's strategic actions against Russian infrastructure, frames the attack as a response to securing international support, and quotes Zelenskyy's rhetoric about bringing Putin to negotiations. It highlights Ukraine's efforts to pressure Russia economically and politically,
The New York Times (World)Independent🔒Center3 days ago Ukraine Strikes Moscow Refinery in Large-Scale Drone AttackUkraine conducted a large-scale drone attack on a refinery in Moscow, causing the city's airports to close for several hours. This appears to be the largest wave of drone strikes on Russia's capital since the beginning of the war.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or framing. It describes the event neutrally, focusing on the scale and impact of the attack without taking a stance on the conflict or attributing blame.
Bloomberg NewsParty-aligned🔒Center3 days ago Record Ukrainian Drone Attack on Moscow Targets RefineryRussia's capital, Moscow, experienced a record number of drone attacks overnight, with some drones reaching the Moscow Oil Refinery. The attack disrupted airport operations and led to the closure of several major roads. At least 194 drones were intercepted, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the drone attack without apparent ideological framing. It reports on the event neutrally, citing official sources such as Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, and does not include subjective language or emphasis that would indicate a particular political leaning.
Official sources cited
- government Mayor Sergei Sobyanin
The Washington TimesIndependentRight5 days ago Trump, Zelenskyy meeting shifts G7 focus to Ukraine warPresident Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the G7 summit in France, shifting attention back to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump expressed hope for a resolution to the conflict, stating that Russia should make a deal and noting the heavy losses suffered by both nations. He also mentioned speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and advancing diplomacy to end the war. The U.S. plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Iran to conclude that conflict.
Bias read (Right): The article includes direct quotes from Trump expressing support for a negotiated settlement with Russia and comments on the war's impact, which align with conservative perspectives. While it reports on Zelenskyy's goals, the framing emphasizes Trump's remarks and positions without counterbalancing.
Official sources cited
- government Trump's statements to reporters
- government Zelenskyy's statement on X
Breitbart NewsIndependentCenter6 days agoRussian forces launched an attack on Ukraine's major cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in at least 11 deaths and damaging a historic cathedral in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the attacks demonstrate Russia's intent to continue the war. The incident occurred following separate phone calls between Zelenskyy, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump. Discussions about the conflict are expected to take place during a G7 summit in France.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a military action and its consequences without overtly favoring any side. It includes direct quotes from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and references ongoing diplomatic discussions, presenting facts rather than taking a clear stance.
Official sources cited
- government Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- press release Associated Press (AP)
Fox News (World)IndependentCenter7 days ago Zelenskyy congratulates Trump on turning 80 in birthday call, vows more Ukraine peace talks at G7 on TuesdayUkrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump on the eve of the G7 Summit, congratulating Trump on his 80th birthday and discussing potential peace efforts in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for American military support provided to Ukraine and mentioned plans to discuss further peace initiatives during the G7 meetings.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a diplomatic exchange between two world leaders without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from Zelenskyy and mentions the context of the G7 Summit, which frames the discussion within an international diplomatic setting. The language is
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