The Moscow Oil Refinery burns after Ukraine’s drone strikes, June 18, 2026
EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Russia’s “Hybrid War” Beyond Ukraine
Wednesday’s Coverage: Zelensky Meets Trump at G7 Summit
UPDATE 1857 GMT:
At the European Union summit in Brussels, European Council President António Costa has hailed “a new momentum” in the support of Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
As he and European Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Costa spoke of “a historic week” with formal accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova underway.
“The EU, the US, and our partners from Canada, Japan, the UK – all of us – are working together to continue to support Ukraine,” he said.
Von der Leyen said Ukraine “deserves it, because you have been working so hard to move forward with the necessary reforms”. She said “the tide is turning,” as “Ukraine is holding the line, even partially regaining its territory”, while Russia is struggling with a “suffering” and growing digital censorship.
Zelensky responded that it is “a really great moment for Ukraine”.
UPDATE 1850 GMT:
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, commenting on Ukraine’s strikes on Moscow, has told reporters:
We don’t want this war, we never did, and everyone knows it, and our partners know it….
If Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn.
Zelensky called on Europe and the US to increase pressure on Russia through sanctions on Moscow’s defense and energy sectors and on the broader economy.
UPDATE 1528 GMT:
At least five civilians have been murdered and 24 injured by Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day.
In the Sumy region in the northeast, three people were killed and seven wounded. In the Donetsk region in the east, two were slain and four injured.
Casualties were also reported from the Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Poltava regions.
UPDATE 0709 GMT:
Ukraine air defenses downed 212 of 239 drones and 4 of 7 missiles launched by Russia overnight.
Two missiles and 26 drones hit nine locations.
Two waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv from 1:30 a.m.
UPDATE 0643 GMT:
Leaders of the G7 nations have pledged to “increase the delivery of air defense capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities” to Ukraine.
At their summit in France, the leaders also said they are prepared to license Ukraine-based companies to build long-range missiles and air defense systems. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: “We are all currently producing too little, and this can be offset by granting licenses to companies that have these production capabilities, including European and Ukrainian firms.”
In their meeting on Tuesday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed to Donald Trump that the US provide licenses. He said Trump gave a “positive” response. Merz added that he was “grateful” to Donald Trump “for this great willingness to cooperate”.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine’s drones have set afire Moscow’s oil refinery for the second time this week.
The strikes set off flames and plumes of smoke over the district of Kapotnya, in the southeast of Russia’s capital, on Thursday morning.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin acknowledged, “Air defense forces are continuing to repel a large-scale attack. Several drones managed to reach the [refinery].” Traffic has been halted on the ring road near the complex.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky commented:
In recent days, all of our partners have noted the precision and effectiveness of our mid-range strikes and long-range sanctions. It is time the war ended, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy.
Moscow by night, or is it by day light…
Sanctions on oil refineries are working
— Rocket Fella (@kooiker.bsky.social) June 18, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Ukraine’s strikes on Tuesday halted operations at the refinery, which provides around 40% of Moscow’s gasoline and 50% of diesel fuel. The plant is also a vital logistics hub for aviation fuel for Moscow’s airports.
Rationing of gasoline has been instituted in parts of the Moscow region, as well as in many other areas of Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. Russia, the world’s third-biggest oil producer, will import fuel by sea this month.
