On June 18th local time, Moscow was covered in thick smoke.
According to reports from American media such as the New York Times and The Associated Press, on the 18th, Ukraine carried out its second attack on a refinery in Moscow within a week. Dark smoke billowed into the sky, and some areas of Moscow experienced 'black rain' with soot. Four major airports were temporarily closed, causing disruptions in urban traffic.
This is one of the largest drone attacks launched by Ukraine against Moscow in more than four years since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Russian news agency RT reported on the 19th that Moscow Mayor Sobyanin stated that at least 194 drones were shot down by air defense systems, but some still managed to penetrate the defenses. A shopping center and a refinery in Moscow were damaged during the attack, and Russian air defense systems are still operational to deal with the continuous attacks from drones.
The attacked refinery is located in the southeastern part of Moscow, about 15 kilometers from the Kremlin. According to the refinery's website, it is one of Russia’s largest refining facilities, producing more than one-third of the fuel needed by Moscow. On the 16th, the refinery was attacked by Ukraine; this is the second time it has been struck in a week.
Social media shared the moment the roof of the Russian refinery was blown apart. Social Media
A video released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense shows that the top of the facility was overturned during the explosion, and the fire spread rapidly.
Residents in the southeast of Moscow reported hearing a loud noise from a drone hitting a refinery on the morning of the 18th. Subsequently, toxic smoke appeared over many areas, and online images showed what appeared to be “black rain” falling. The environmental department of Moscow Oblast advised residents to reduce outdoor activities, while denying the existence of “black rain,” claiming that the rainfall was merely a mixture of dust and smoke.
After the Russian refinery was attacked, thick smoke billowed up. Video screenshot
The New York Times states that given the refinery targeted in the attack provides most of Moscow’s gasoline supply, this strike could further exacerbate fuel shortages across Russia. The Associated Press notes that Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian energy facilities, aiming to reduce Russian revenue and also to make the Russian people feel the pain of the conflict. Independent Russian media reports that gas stations in several regions of the country have started implementing purchase restrictions, with one out of every four gas stations now under some form of control.
However, within hours after the attack, Moscow issued a statement indicating that the supply of petroleum products in the city and the operation of gas stations were normal.
However, this round of attacks did cause disruptions to Moscow's transportation system. Four airports in the city were closed urgently, and some highways surrounding this Russian capital with a population of 13 million were also forced to close. According to data from a flight information website, more than 500 flights in Moscow were delayed or canceled.
Sobyanin said that a large open-air market in Moscow was damaged in an drone attack. Vorobyov revealed that a large shopping center was closed as a result, and another drone struck a high-rise residential building in the Rubkovskiy suburb.
Hours after the attack, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that the operation took place after a “important coordination call” with the presidents of the United States and France, and with further support obtained during this week’s G7 summit.
"If Ukraine is going to burn, your Moscow will also burn." Zelensky said, stating that this attack was intended to force Russia back to the negotiating table. "Now is the time for an end to the war." He described this round of drone attacks as a response to the bombing of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra last week. But Russia denied it saying the monastery was hit by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles.
French President Macron stated that the G7 summit is “very important” for Ukraine, as countries including the United States have promised to provide assistance to Ukraine, but no details were disclosed. When leaving the Palace of Versailles, Macron emphasized that “it is very important that the United States supports us on the issue of Ukraine.”
According to the Associated Press, Zelenskyy held talks in Brussels with NATO and EU leaders. During these talks, Germany and Ukraine signed an agreement to jointly develop anti-ballistic missile defense systems. Zelenskyy described this as the beginning of the 'Ballistic Missile Alliance' and invited more countries to join.
Russia responded harshly to the attack. The Chairman of the State Duma, Vladimir Voronin, warned that Moscow would respond by intensifying its measures. "Their actions will lead to countermeasures from us, and we will use more powerful weapons to strike back at them."
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said to the media on the 18th that Russian troops will carry out intensive strikes on targets that Ukraine relies upon to maintain its combat capabilities.
He said that, according to instructions from Russian President Putin, the Russian army will carry out intensive strikes against targets that are directly related to the combat effectiveness of the Ukrainian army. The Russian army will fulfill the tasks assigned by Putin, and this move is a response to the attacks on Moscow by Ukraine.
