After G7 support, Ukraine launched 234 aircraft to bomb Moscow, igniting massive fires on-site.

Following support from G7 countries, Ukraine’s confidence surged, and 234 drones were dispatched toward Russian territory, setting Moscow ablaze. Simultaneously, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned NATO that it would bear full responsibility for the consequences! On June 17, the G7 summit concluded—but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not attend in vain. That very day, the G7 issued a joint statement on Ukraine. Though brief, the statement carried substantial implications: participating nations agreed to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and intensify economic pressure on Russia. Specifically, the G7 pledged increased supplies of air defense systems, interceptor missiles, and long-range strike capabilities. The UK moved fastest: during the summit, UK Defense Secretary John Healey announced a major package—delivering 150,000 drones to Ukraine by year-end. This was only part of a broader aid package also including 350 air-defense missiles and ground-based radar systems, totaling £752 million. Notably, this funding draws from the UK’s 2024 commitment of £2.26 billion in loans, financed by revenues generated from frozen Russian assets—in essence, using Russia’s own money to buy weapons to fight Russia. Immediately after receiving G7 support, Ukraine launched strikes against Russia. On June 18, Moscow suffered one of the largest drone attacks since the conflict began. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. that day, Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 234 Ukrainian drones across 13 regions—including Belgorod, Bryansk, Moscow Oblast, and the Republic of Crimea. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported on social media that over 50 drones alone were shot down en route to Moscow. This Ukrainian operation inflicted tangible damage on Russia: several drones struck the Kapotnya Oil Refinery in Moscow’s southeastern Kapotnya District. Eyewitness videos show the refinery engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing skyward. The Kapotnya Refinery is Moscow’s largest fuel supplier, providing approximately 40% of the capital’s gasoline and half its diesel. The attack damaged a primary production line accounting for 53% of the refinery’s total capacity, forcing it to suspend operations entirely. Additionally, a shopping mall sustained damage from drone debris. So why did Ukraine launch such a large-scale attack at this precise moment? First, retaliation: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed the operation on social media, stating that Ukrainian forces had struck the Moscow refinery twice within one week—directly responding to Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities. Earlier that week, Kyiv endured a deadly airstrike killing 11 civilians and emergency responders and injuring 53 others; a landmark cathedral and an 11th-century monastery protected by UNESCO suffered severe damage. Russia denied responsibility for the monastery strike, blaming Ukraine’s U.S.-made “Patriot” air-defense system instead. Second, timing linked to the G7 summit: just as G7 leaders pledged enhanced assistance, Ukraine acted decisively to demonstrate that “the aid wasn’t in vain.” Although the promised 150,000 drones have yet to arrive, Ukraine’s existing drone fleet already possesses the range to reach Moscow—a clear signal to G7 nations: your investment hasn’t gone to waste.

Ukrainian drones and missiles jointly attacked Moscow’s oil refinery, lighting up the Kremlin skyline with fire.

On-site images show multiple towering fire columns burning across the Kapotnya Oil Refinery compound. This attack is highly likely to severely disrupt fuel supply across the Moscow region. As of 5:27 a.m., air defense operations over Moscow remained ongoing, according to monitoring reports. Russian online media outlet Astra reported—based on geolocation analysis—that the refinery’s Combined Oil Processing Unit (KUPN) and the ELOU AVT-6 facility were likely hit; other consequences remain unclear. On Sunday morning, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin posted on Telegram stating that several drones evaded interception and reached the refinery site; one struck a residential apartment building. He added that no casualties occurred within the city. In his post, he stated: “This unprecedented attack was clearly intended to disrupt the elections… but the adversary failed to achieve this goal.” Due to the large-scale drone assault, numerous airports across mainland Russia implemented temporary air traffic restrictions. At Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport alone, over 150 flights were canceled or delayed. II. This year, Moscow’s Kapotnya Oil Refinery has been struck multiple times by Ukrainian drones, resulting in partial equipment damage and production halts. The Kapotnya Refinery ranks among Russia’s top ten oil refineries, with current annual processing capacity of 11 million tons of crude oil. It meets roughly 40% of petroleum product demand across the Moscow region—including Moscow city and surrounding areas. Its production complex comprises more than 30 technical units dedicated to catalytic and thermal cracking, reforming, and other refining processes. Products include AI-80EK, AI-92EK, and AI-95EK grade gasoline; diesel fuel; aviation kerosene; asphalt; sulfur; and various polymers. Sunday’s attack was not the first time the Kapotnya Refinery had been targeted by Ukrainian drones and missiles this year. On June 16, 2026, the Moscow refinery sustained severe damage from a Ukrainian drone strike, triggering multiple fires visible from kilometers away. Following the attack, over half its production capacity was suspended for repairs, with recovery unlikely before year-end. According to videos posted by local residents, the Ukrainian Armed Forces employed FP-1, Lyutyi (“Storm”), and Shahed-type drones in that strike. On June 18, the refinery suffered a second strike. Local residents’ footage captured multiple fires inside the facility—particularly at the ELOU AVT-6 unit. ELOU AVT-6 is designed for crude oil preparation and primary processing. Its core function is fractionating crude into base components (distillates) for subsequent fuel production. III. Sunday’s strike on the Moscow refinery unusually combined multiple weapon systems. Debris resembling the Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo missile was identified in the Ukrainian joint strike on Moscow’s Kapotnya Refinery. In a video posted by local residents on Telegram, the wreckage of an unidentified missile—visually similar to Ukraine’s FP-5 Flamingo—was discovered. Additionally, in another resident-recorded video, the sound of a jet engine was audible. However, no conclusive evidence currently exists regarding how many missiles Ukraine deployed in this large-scale attack on Moscow.

Moscow oil refinery output halted after Sunday drone attack, sources say

2 days ago

Gazprom Neft's Moscow refinery halted crude processing after a drone attack damaged primary distillation units, with repairs taking several weeks. The facility, processing 230,000 barrels daily, supplies significant gasoline, diesel, and bitumen volumes to the market.

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