Ukraine deployed nearly 1,000 drones to strike multiple locations in Russia, including Moscow, causing explosions and a severe fire at an oil refinery that spread crude oil, which fell as black rain.
On Thursday, 18 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Russia since the war began four years ago, causing massive explosions and a fire at the Kapotnya oil refinery in southeast Moscow. Over 200 drones were sent to attack the Russian capital.
Andrey Vorobyov, the regional governor, revealed that the explosions produced thick black smoke rising into the sky, resulting in 17 injuries in Moscow region.
The blasts also caused small droplets of black crude oil to fall and scatter like rain in parts of Moscow. Local residents told the BBC that the rain left "black stains" on their clothes, though Moscow authorities denied reports of "oil rain."
However, the city's official Telegram channel warned residents in affected areas to keep windows tightly closed and advised families with children, the elderly, and asthma patients to evacuate promptly.
The incident also caused a fire at a nearby shopping center reportedly from drone debris striking the building. Meanwhile, all four airports in Moscow temporarily suspended operations, leading to cancellations or delays of more than 500 flights.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated its forces intercepted and destroyed nearly 1,000 Ukrainian drones nationwide, along with four Ukrainian cruise missiles within the past 24 hours. Additionally, an oil depot in southern Rostov region was attacked, resulting in one fatality.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drone strike was retaliation for Russia’s earlier attack on Kyiv last week, which caused a fire at the nationally significant Orthodox Christian Pechersk Lavra monastery.
"We never wanted this war and do not desire it," Zelensky said. "But if Ukraine must burn, then your Moscow must burn as well."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded that attacks on Ukraine would be "widespread and severe" going forward, adding that he has "long believed that words alone are no longer enough."
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Source:bbc