For the Second Time in a Week, Zelenskyy Confirms a Strike on Moscow’s Oil Refinery

Strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that the Moscow Oil Refinery was hit for the second time in seven days. The attack took place early on June 18, with drones targeting the facility in the Kapotnya district. Additional strikes were also carried out in the Rostov region and in temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy stated: 'Last night, our long-range sanctions once again reached the Moscow region: for the second time this week, the Moscow Oil Refinery was struck. Targets in the Rostov region and in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories were also hit. This is a completely justified response to Russian strikes on our cities and communities, and another important result of our warriors’ work against facilities that fuel the Russian war machine. I thank Ukraine’s Defense and Security Forces for their joint efforts – the SBU, SBS, SSO, HUR, and our missile brigade for their precision.'

Following the attack, thick smoke was observed over Moscow, and all four of the city’s airports-Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky-temporarily suspended incoming and outgoing flights. Footage of the explosion at the Moscow Oil Refinery surfaced online, capturing the moment one of the fuel tanks detonated.

One witness in Moscow described the scene: 'All of Moscow is burning like hell. I’m getting the f*ck out of here!'

These developments highlight an escalation in the conflict, with new strikes on infrastructure causing serious disruptions to the city’s daily operations.

Diplomatic Steps to End the War

Zelenskyy also emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to bring the war to a close, stating: 'It’s time to end this war, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy.'

The situation reflects an ongoing intensification of military actions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly through attacks on critical infrastructure. The strikes on the Moscow Oil Refinery may indicate a strategic Ukrainian approach to degrading resources that sustain the Russian military. At the same time, President Zelenskyy’s focus on diplomatic measures suggests a potential shift toward prioritizing peace negotiations in the future.

These recent strikes on the Moscow Oil Refinery come on the heels of another significant attack, where Ukrainian drones targeted an oil facility over 700 kilometers away. This pattern of escalating military actions underscores Ukraine's strategic approach to weaken Russia's capacity to sustain its military operations. For more details on this earlier drone strike, see our coverage here.