Massive attack on Moscow: Ukrainian drones hit the Moscow Oil Refinery

Massive attack on Moscow: Ukrainian drones hit the Moscow Oil Refinery

On the morning of June 18, Ukrainian drones launched a new series of strikes on Moscow. The target of the attack on the aggressor country’s capital was a large oil refinery.

As a result of the attack, a powerful fire broke out. This is reported by the monitoring channel Exilenova+.

After a series of hits on the Moscow Oil Refinery in the southeast of the Russian capital, at least two storage tanks caught fire. Eyewitnesses published videos online showing a large-scale blaze on the facility’s grounds.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated around 5:00 a.m. that 15 UAVs heading toward Moscow had been destroyed by air defence systems. However, he soon acknowledged that the drones had reached their intended targets on the oil refinery grounds.

"Air defence forces continue to repel a massive attack. Several drones managed to reach the Moscow Oil Refinery. Measures are being taken to eliminate the consequences," Sobyanin stated.

The attack was carried out in waves, starting around 4:30 a.m. Moscow authorities claim that by 6:40 a.m., air defence forces had allegedly shot down at least 43 drones approaching the capital and over its territory.

Fragments and debris from one of the downed drones fell on the grounds of the Sadovod shopping complex. Minor damage to the facade and structure of one of the buildings has been reported.

Due to the aerial attack, Rosaviatsiya introduced the "Carpet" plan. The three main airports of the Moscow aviation hub — Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo — temporarily imposed restrictions. Flights for departure and arrival were delayed or redirected to alternate airfields.

Eyewitnesses and OSINT accounts published footage of large columns of smoke over Kapotnya. According to preliminary monitoring data, a major fire has been recorded.

Online reports note that the refinery was heavily protected by air defences, yet the drones penetrated deep into the facility despite stationary towers equipped with Pantsir SAM systems installed around Kapotnya and in neighboring districts.