Russia and Ukraine exchanged major drone and missile strikes on June 18, hitting each other`s capitals hours after Zelensky spoke with Trump and G7 leaders about ending the war.
Moscow and Kyiv came under simultaneous heavy attack early Thursday as both sides exchanged strikes hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a coordinating call with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.
Ukrainian drones struck Moscow's main oil refinery for the second time in three days, triggering fires and forcing temporary flight restrictions at the capital's airports. Russian forces responded with ballistic missiles and drones targeting Kyiv, marking the second aerial assault on the Ukrainian capital this week.
Moscow Refinery Struck in Escalating Drone Campaign
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that air defense forces intercepted dozens of drones descending on the Russian capital early Thursday morning, with at least 42 shot down. Russian authorities said 180 drones were downed around Moscow alone and 555 across the country.
Several drones breached defenses and struck the Moscow oil refinery in the southeastern district of Kapotnya, a facility that supplies fuel to the capital. Reuters witnesses reported flames and thick plumes of smoke rising over the area. A shopping center on the outskirts also sustained minor damage from falling debris.
The attack follows a similar strike on Tuesday that halted refinery operations. Russia, the world's third-largest oil producer, now faces a deepening fuel shortage and is reportedly preparing to import fuel by sea this month.
Kyiv Under Missile Fire
As Ukrainian drones struck Moscow, Russian forces launched ballistic missiles at Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded across most of Ukrainian territory, with authorities urging residents to seek shelter.
"The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles. Stay in safe places until the air raid alert is over," Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, posted on Telegram.
In the northeastern city of Sumy, officials confirmed one person was killed in a drone attack. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant region also saw casualties, with one killed and four injured in Ukrainian strikes, according to Russian-appointed authorities.
Diplomatic Push Intensifies
The exchanges occurred hours after Zelensky held what he described as a "coordinating conversation" with Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other European leaders following the G7 summit in Evian, France.
Trump, who signed a separate memorandum of understanding with Iran at the summit aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, said Russia should make a deal to end the war. He pointed to mounting casualties on both sides in what has become the deadliest conflict on European soil since World War II.
Zelensky framed the strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as a direct response to ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha delivered a pointed message to Moscow residents on social media: "Your country started a war of aggression against ours. For years, it has been killing our people. Now that you know what's going on, ask Putin when he is planning to end it".
G7 Unity and Escalating Pressure
The G7 summit concluded without a final joint communique for the second consecutive year, but leaders issued a series of deliverables committing to increased military support for Ukraine. Member states pledged additional air defense systems, interceptors, and long-range capabilities.
G7 leaders also agreed to consider licensing weapons production in Ukraine and tighten sanctions on Russia's oil and gas sectors.
The Kremlin has not indicated any shift in its position. Putin has not discussed the possibility of a meeting with Zelensky during his latest phone call with Trump, according to Russian officials.
What Happens Next
The immediate trajectory of the conflict hangs on diplomatic efforts emerging from the G7 summit and Trump's direct engagement with both Zelensky and Putin. Ukraine's growing long-range drone capabilities have demonstrated an ability to strike deep into Russian territory, potentially strengthening Kyiv's leverage in any future negotiations. Russia, meanwhile, continues to press its advantage on the ground while defending against an increasingly sophisticated Ukrainian drone campaign targeting its energy infrastructure.
The coming days will likely see intensified diplomatic activity as world leaders press for a ceasefire framework, though Thursday's heavy exchanges underscore the significant obstacles remaining.
Sources
- Vietnam.vn - Russia and Ukraine heavily bombard each other's capitals
- https://www.vietnam.vn/en/nga-va-ukraine-oanh-tac-du-doi-thu-do-cua-nhau
- Anadolu Agency - Morning Briefing: June 18, 2026
- https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/morning-briefing-june-18-2026/3970329
- ThePrint - Ukraine hits Moscow refinery in major attack on Russian capital
- https://theprint.in/world/ukraine-hits-moscow-refinery-in-major-attack-on-russian-capital/2963216/
- RTÉ - Moscow, Kyiv exchange strikes, Zelensky speaks with Trump
- https://www.rte.ie/news/ukraine/2026/0618/1579028-ukraine-russia-zelensky/
- ThePrint - Russia attacks Kyiv with missiles as Zelenskiy speaks to Trump, Europe for a peace deal
- https://theprint.in/world/russia-attacks-kyiv-with-missiles-as-zelenskiy-speaks-to-trump-europe-for-a-peace-deal/2962937/
- ThePrint - Moscow, Kyiv exchange attacks as Ukraine's Zelenskiy speaks to Trump, Europe
- https://theprint.in/world/moscow-kyiv-exchange-attacks-as-ukraines-zelenskiy-speaks-to-trump-europe/2962974/