[90359] Historic drone attack on Moscow: disruptions at the main oil refinery and economic consequences
[90359] Historic drone attack on Moscow: disruptions at the main oil refinery and economic consequences
An extensive drone attack carried out by Ukraine led to damage to Moscow's main oil refinery and panic among residents of the Russian capital, against the backdrop of Zelensky's commitment to continuing the military response.
Moscow under fire: A strategic drone attack
On June 18, 2026, Moscow experienced one of the most significant drone attacks since the outbreak of the war. Zelensky / Official reported that this was an "absolutely fair response" to Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, with units from the SBU, GUR, and other special forces carrying out precise strikes on the oil refinery in Moscow and facilities in Rostov.
According to reports in Times of Ukraine and Reuters, the attack led to the almost complete paralysis of the Moscow oil refinery, which serves as a major supplier of fuel for the capital and its airports. Various social media users, including Real War, reported panic among Moscow residents who rushed to gas stations, fearing a prolonged shortage.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine detailed that in addition to the damage to the refinery, oil bases in Rostov and strategic bridges in Donetsk and the Crimean Peninsula were also attacked, with the goal of disrupting Russian logistics. Conversely, news agencies affiliated with the Kremlin and the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed, as quoted in Ukraine Online, that air defense systems intercepted about 992 drones, a claim that was met with great skepticism by Ukrainian sources.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during the 'Ramstein' conference, as published in SUSPILNE NEWS, that "if Ukraine burns, Moscow will also burn," and emphasized that time for diplomacy on Russia's terms is running out. On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as reported in Times of Ukraine, threatened that Russia would respond with "massive and regular strikes" for any further attacks on its territory.
Economists cited in Novini.LIVE point out that beyond the direct damage, the attacks lead to a decline in the value of Russian energy company stocks and an increase in insurance and transportation costs, which exacerbates the pressure on Russia's federal budget that finances the war.