Moscow Refinery Blast May Have Been Caused by Friendly Fire, Video Suggests
Ukraine launched its largest drone strike of the war on June 18, 2026, targeting the Kapotnya oil refinery in Moscow. The attack bypassed layered defenses and caused significant fires. Russia responded with an 11-hour assault on Kyiv that killed at least 21 civilians.
What changed
New reports identify the June 18 target as the Kapotnya refinery and detail Russian retaliatory strikes in Kyiv.
Live updates
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Ukraine Hits Moscow Oil Refinery in Massive Drone Raid
confidence 90%Ukraine launched its largest drone strike of the war on June 18, 2026, targeting the Kapotnya oil refinery in Moscow. The attack bypassed layered defenses and caused significant fires. Russia responded with an 11-hour assault on Kyiv that killed at least 21 civilians.
What's confirmed:
- Ukraine attacked the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Kapotnya district on June 18, 2026.
- The strike caused significant fires that produced thick black smoke over the southern part of Moscow.
- Russian strikes in Kyiv killed at least 21 civilians.
- President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Russia is facing fuel shortages.
Still unconfirmed:
- Up to 500 strike and decoy drones were used in the Moscow raid.
- The Kapotnya refinery is operated by Gazprom Neft.
- Russian authorities shot down 419 drones across Russia and Crimea.
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Video evidence indicates Russian missile struck Moscow oil refinery
confidence 90%A Russian air defense missile likely caused an explosion at a fuel silo during a Ukrainian aerial assault. Footage shows the missile traveling toward the target before it erupted. The blast sent the roof of an oil tanker into the air.
What's confirmed:
- A Russian air defense missile traveled toward a fuel silo that exploded upon its arrival.
- The explosion caused the lid of an oil tanker to fly into the sky.
Still unconfirmed:
- An errant Russian defense missile mistakenly struck a major oil refinery in Moscow on Thursday.
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Video suggests Russian missile hit Moscow refinery during drone intercept
confidence 70%New footage shows a missile passing under a drone before striking a storage tank at the Kapotnya refinery. The incident occurred during a large Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow. Reports suggest the explosion resulted from a failed intercept attempt.
Still unconfirmed:
- A Chinese tourist filmed a missile intercept attempt against a Ukrainian drone.
- Footage shows a missile leaving a contrail and hitting a storage tank after passing beneath a drone.
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Russian Air Defense Likely Caused Moscow Refinery Explosion
confidence 80%Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, causing massive fires and explosions. Video and analyst reports suggest a Russian Pantsir missile struck an oil tank at the Kapotnya refinery. The strike targeted the facility's AVT unit and blew off a roof.
What's confirmed:
- Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years.
- A Russian air defense missile struck an oil tank at the Moscow Refinery in Kapotnya on June 18.
- The attack targeted the refinery's AVT unit.
- The blast sent the refinery roof into the air.
Still unconfirmed:
- The strike indicates a new phase in the long-range air war.
- The attack was a landmark in complex drone strikes.