MOSCOW: Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years on Thursday, setting a major oil refinery ablaze, disrupting air traffic and wounding at least 17 people, Russian authorities said.
The attack sent thick black smoke billowing over parts of the Russian capital and forced temporary closures at Moscow’s airports, including Sheremetyevo, the country’s busiest air hub.
Russian officials said air defences intercepted hundreds of drones, but several reached targets in and around the capital, causing fires at industrial and residential sites.
The strike came as Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in the central city of Kazan, around 700 kilometres east of Moscow.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said several drones reached the Moscow oil refinery in the southeastern Kapotnya district.
Authorities closed nearby roads while emergency crews battled fires at the facility.
Another drone struck an apartment building, while falling debris triggered a fire at a shopping centre on the outskirts of the capital, officials said.
Videos circulating on social media showed smoke pouring from upper floors of a residential building and thick black smoke rising above industrial areas.
🚨 Moscow-Capital of Russia, hit by one of Ukraine’s largest drone attacks. pic.twitter.com/QiRnblp77G
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 18, 2026
Residents reported seeing dark particles falling from the sky after the refinery was hit.
According to BBC, local residents described a fine drizzle leaving black spots on clothing, while videos showed an oily residue covering parts of a nearby car park. Moscow authorities denied reports that “oil rain” had fallen over the city.
The city’s official Telegram channel advised residents in affected areas to keep windows closed and urged families with children, elderly people and people suffering from respiratory conditions to leave the area.
The drone barrage forced the temporary closure of all four of Moscow’s airports.
Sheremetyevo Airport said passengers were evacuated to safe locations during the attack before operations resumed later in the day.
Russian aviation authorities reported hundreds of flight cancellations and delays as a result of the closures.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said air defence systems intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones across the country overnight.
Sobyanin said around 180 drones had been shot down while approaching Moscow.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov vowed that Moscow would respond with what he described as “massive” strikes against Ukraine.
In comments reported after the attack, Lavrov said he had long believed that “words are not enough”.
The strike marked the second major Ukrainian attack during an international summit this month, following drone attacks targeting St Petersburg during a major economic forum earlier in June.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as a justified response to Russian attacks on Ukraine.
He said the strike came after recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, including one targeting the historic Pechersk Lavra monastery and a UNESCO-protected 11th-century religious site.
“The main thing is that the people of Russia begin to feel that it is one man, Putin, who is waging this war, while ordinary people pay the price for everything,” Zelensky told reporters.
“If Ukraine is going to burn, your Moscow will burn too,” he added.
Zelensky also said diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remained stalled and urged Russia to engage seriously in negotiations.
“It is time the war ended, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy,” he said.
