Russia Launches Strikes on Kyiv for Second Time This Week as Ukraine Strikes Moscow Refinery
Russia fired ballistic missiles at Kyiv for the second time this week, hitting nine locations overnight after launching at least 239 drones and seven ballistic missiles, with Ukrainian forces intercepting the majority. [4] The attacks on the Ukrainian capital came as Ukraine strikes reached the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya for the second time this week. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to Muscovites’ questions by stating that Russia started the war of aggression and that Putin should end it. [5]
Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Moscow Refinery
Scores of Ukrainian drones bore down on Moscow on Thursday, hitting the Russian capital’s oil refinery for the second time this week. [1] Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that several drones reached the refinery, causing flames and smoke, with a shopping center also suffering minor damage. [1] Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed 555 Ukrainian drones were shot down nationwide, with 180 intercepted around Moscow. [1] The regional governor reported damage to a high-rise residential building, an industrial facility, and private houses in the Moscow region. [1] Flights were suspended at Moscow airports and traffic halted on nearby highways. [1] An earlier attack on Tuesday had already halted operations at the same refinery. [1]
Russian Retaliatory Attacks on Kyiv and Ukraine
Russia fired ballistic missiles at Kyiv for the second time this week, hitting nine locations overnight after launching at least 239 drones and seven ballistic missiles. [4] Ukrainian forces intercepted the majority of the incoming weapons. [4] An earlier attack damaged the 1,000-year-old Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery. [1] Authorities in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy said one person was killed in a drone attack. [4] In Kherson, three people were injured by a Russian landmine after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device. [2] Russian forces also attacked a residential area in Shostka in Sumy Oblast, injuring a 34-year-old woman and a 3-year-old girl. [2]
Three people injured by a Russian landmine near Kherson. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Impact on Russian Energy Infrastructure
The Tuesday drone strike on the same refinery had already halted operations, contributing to widespread damage to Russian energy facilities and prompting Russia to import fuel by sea due to gasoline shortages. [1] The refinery is described as a strategically important enterprise that provides around 40 percent of petrol and other oil products to the multi-million population of the Russian capital. [4] Reporting indicated the facility was still burning heavily while emergency services worked to put out fires. [4] Russia, the world’s third-biggest oil producer, is set to import fuel by sea this month as it seeks to manage a gasoline shortage following Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries. [1]
Ukrainian Government Statements
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to Muscovites’ questions by stating that Russia started the war of aggression and that Putin should end it. [5] President Zelenskyy described the strikes on Russia as a fair response to Russian attacks and the result of Ukrainian soldiers targeting facilities supporting the Russian war machine. [1] Zelenskyy vowed that there would be a response to the massive Russian attack that struck the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. [5] On the night of 17-18 June, Ukrainian drones penetrated Moscow's layered air defence and struck the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya, causing a major fire at the facility. [5]
International Diplomacy and G7 Response
The attacks occurred as Zelenskyy coordinated with US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and G7 leaders, who pledged to boost Ukraine’s air defenses, tighten sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas sectors, and provide winter support. [4] Zelenskyy said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders from G7 countries to coordinate ways to end the war. [4] G7 leaders pledged to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and increase pressure on Moscow’s war economy, including by tightening sanctions on the Russian oil and gas sectors. [4] Zelenskyy said he received important commitments from the G7, including more air defence missiles along with licenses to produce them, and a winter support package. [4] Trump told reporters he was going to do whatever he can to end the war. [4]
Ukrainian drone strikes cause flames and smoke at Moscow's Kapotnya oil refinery for the second time this week. — Source: cnn
Broader Context of the Conflict
More than four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has increasingly been targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure with long-range drone strikes, while Russia has continued firing missiles at Ukrainian cities. [1] After years when Russian forces made slow but relentless gains on the battlefield, Kyiv says its improving drone capabilities are shifting the war’s momentum in its favor, providing new impetus for Moscow to agree a peace deal. [1] The attacks come as Zelenskyy works to pressure Russia into negotiating an end to its more than four-year-long war. [4] Zelenskyy said it is key that everything discussed be implemented so Russia must come to learn that its war will never be normalised. [4]
What to watch next: Zelenskyy will continue coordinating with US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and other G7 leaders on commitments to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and tighten sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas sectors.
