Ukraine Launches Largest Drone Strike on Moscow Since Start of War: Over 500 Drones Attack

Attack on Oil Facility Near Moscow
Russia Warns of "Large-Scale Airstrikes" and Retaliation

AP Yonhap News

Ukraine has carried out its largest drone attack since the start of the war, deploying over 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) targeting Moscow and other locations in Russia. This large-scale offensive comes after the Group of Seven (G7) signaled support and Ukraine initiated the process for European Union (EU) membership, moves that appear to have boosted Ukraine's confidence and emboldened its counteroffensive. Russia has responded by warning of immediate retaliation and is taking defensive action.

According to TASS news agency on June 18 (local time), more than 550 Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow and surrounding areas overnight, prompting the Russian military to intercept them. Of these, around 200 drones targeted Moscow itself, TASS reported. The attack sparked a fire at a major oil refinery on the outskirts of Moscow, and more than 500 flights were canceled at four key airports in Moscow, including Sheremetyevo Airport.

TASS also reported that the oil refinery near Moscow, which caught fire in the Ukrainian drone strike, is a critical facility supplying more than one-third of the fuel demand in the Moscow area and is located just about 16 kilometers from the Kremlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, "If Ukraine burns, Moscow will burn as well," emphasizing that this attack was a retaliatory measure against Russian aggression.

This Ukrainian offensive is being interpreted as a show of confidence in the possibility of increased Western support. At the G7 summit, which concluded the previous day, leaders discussed intensifying pressure on Russia and expanding support for Ukraine. Notably, U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously been reluctant about sanctions against Russia, raised the possibility of additional sanctions on Russian crude oil, signaling potential future support for Ukraine. In addition, on June 15, Ukraine, together with Moldova, began the process of joining the EU, raising expectations for strengthened military cooperation with the West.

At the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting held in Brussels on June 18, European countries pledged new military support. Through the "Ukraine Priority Urgent Requirements List (PURL)" program, which involves purchasing U.S.-made weapons for delivery to Ukraine, European nations also announced a new support package worth $1 billion, or approximately 1.5 trillion won.

Russia immediately warned of retaliation. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, "It is no coincidence that President Vladimir Putin announced a large-scale airstrike after Kyiv's prior terrorist attack," suggesting the possibility of further attacks. Overnight, Ukraine's capital Kyiv was also struck by Russian drones and ballistic missiles, and in the northeastern Sumy region, one person was reported killed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.