Key facts
- Moscow was targeted by 28 drones on June 18, 2026, according to Russian authorities.
- Debris from the drone attacks caused fires and explosions in Moscow.
- An oil depot in Gukovo, Rostov Oblast, was struck by a drone.
- The Rostov Oblast attack resulted in one death and two injuries.
- Ukraine has increased its long-range strikes on Russian territory.
Moscow was targeted by drones for the second time in less than a week on June 18, 2026, with Russian air defense forces reporting the destruction of 28 unmanned aerial vehicles bound for the capital. Debris from the attacks reportedly caused fires and explosions in multiple locations across the city, including near the Moscow Oil Refinery.
Separately, an oil depot in Gukovo, Rostov Oblast, was hit by a Ukrainian drone strike. Rostov Oblast Governor Yury Slyusar stated that the attack resulted in one fatality and two injuries, with damage also reported to a locomotive and two commercial facilities. Gukovo is located near the Ukrainian border and Rostov Oblast plays a significant logistical role in Russia's war effort.
Ukraine has recently intensified its long-range strike campaign against military, industrial, and energy targets within Russia. The previous strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery on June 16 reportedly halted operations at the site, according to industry sources. Russia has responded by enhancing air defenses in Moscow, deploying new systems on civilian buildings, though these measures have not prevented subsequent drone incursions.