The mammoth attack disrupted commercial flights at Moscow airports.

10:09, Thu, Jun 18, 2026 Updated: 11:50, Thu, Jun 18, 2026

Smoke rises from oil refinery in Moscow after Ukrainian strike

Ukraine has hit a major Moscow oil refinery for a second time in a week and disrupted commercial flights at Moscow airports in one of its biggest drone attacks since Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago, Russian officials said Thursday.

Dramatic pictures and videos show massive fires raging at the Moscow Oil Refinery, located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Kremlin. The attack come hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had held "an important coordination call" with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron that may "bring about significant change." The Moscow Oil Refinery, one of the largest in Russia per its official website, supplies over a third of the fuel used in the capital region. It was most recently targeted by Ukrainian drones on June 16, which ignited a fire; however, authorities reported that the flames were quickly brought under control.

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Oil refinery in Moscow hit by large-scale Ukrainian drone attack, mayor says

Black smoke billows from the area of Gazprom Neftâs Moscow oil refinery (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Moscow was fending off a "large-scale" drone attack from Ukraine,

Moscow was fending off a "large-scale" drone attack from Ukraine, (Image: Getty)

Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that its air defences shot down 555 Ukrainian drones over several regions overnight, with almost 200 intercepted as they were approaching the Russian capital.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said several drones hit an oil refinery.

"Air defence forces continue to repel a massive attack. Several drones managed to reach the Moscow oil refinery," Sobyanin said, adding that a shopping centre also suffered minor damage.

Mr Zelensky said the attack on Moscow was part of Ukraine’s efforts to force Putin to the negotiating table.

He said on social media: "This is a fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities, and another important result of our warriors’ work against facilities that sustain Russia’s war machine.

"It is time the war ended, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy."

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-CONFLICT

People are seen outside a shopping mall as black smoke rises from the area (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X: "One of the most popular questions asked by Muscovites this morning is 'What is going on?' 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."

On Wednesday, Mr Zelensky said that his country had won key pledges of further support from world leaders attending the G7 summit in France, including the United States.