MOSCOW — Ukrainian forces conducted a large-scale drone attack on Moscow and surrounding areas overnight into Thursday, targeting the Moscow Oil Refinery in what Russian officials described as one of the biggest strikes on the Russian capital since the start of the conflict.
The Russian Defense Ministry and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defenses intercepted about 194 drones approaching the capital, with several reaching the Kapotnya refinery southeast of Moscow and causing fires. The refinery, a key fuel supplier for the region, was hit for the second time in days. All four major Moscow airports — Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo — suspended flights temporarily.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy linked the strikes to recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian targets, including one on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery. "If Ukraine burns, Moscow will burn too," a Ukrainian official was quoted as saying in reports on the operation.
Russian officials reported additional drone activity across multiple regions, with the Moscow Oblast governor confirming strikes caused fires and infrastructure damage. Moscow City Mayor Sobyanin acknowledged the refinery fire. Geolocated footage showed drones over the capital and smoke rising from the facility.
The strikes come amid intensified Russian aerial campaigns against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Details on Ukrainian casualties or exact damage from any retaliatory actions remain unclear. Ukrainian forces have increasingly used long-range drones to target Russian rear areas, exposing vulnerabilities in air defenses despite Russian claims of high interception rates.
A Russian milblogger noted an interception rate of around 90 percent, yet several drones still caused significant effects at the refinery, which had been struck earlier in the week.
As of June 20, 2026, Russian authorities continued assessing damage while Ukrainian officials highlighted the operation as evidence of their growing strike capabilities. The Kremlin has vowed responses, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that massive strikes on Ukrainian targets would continue.
Both sides have reported civilian impacts in prior exchanges, with numbers attributed to respective official statements. The latest incident underscores the expanding reach of Ukraine's drone operations deep into Russian territory.
