Moscow and the Moscow region were subjected to one of the largest drone attacks in recent times overnight on 18 June. According to official data, targets in the capital and the Moscow region were hit, with 17 people injured.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed more than 992 drones over the course of the day. In addition, four 'Flamingo' cruise missiles, ten guided aerial bombs and three HIMARS shells were destroyed.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that several devices managed to reach the territory of the Moscow Oil Refinery (MNPZ) in the Kapotnya area, where a fire broke out.
Nine hours later, Sobyanin stated that the fire at the facility had been largely contained. According to him, there were no casualties at the plant.
WHICH TARGETS WERE HIT
In addition to the MNPZ, fires were recorded on the territory of the Sadovod market in south-east Moscow and the Belaya Dacha shopping centre in Kotelniki.
In the Moscow region, according to statements by Governor Andrei Vorobyov, 17 people were injured, including two children. Most of the wounded sustained shrapnel injuries and traumas of varying severity.
He also reported that in Zhukovsky, a drone struck an apartment block on Gagarin Street, damaging balcony slabs.
In Lyubertsy, a fitness centre and a facility in an industrial zone were damaged. In Elektrostal, the roof of a private house and a car were damaged. Drone debris also caused fires in several dacha houses.
HOW THE ATTACK AFFECTED TRANSPORT
According to the online boards of four Moscow airports, 527 flights were cancelled or delayed on 18 June. Airlines Aeroflot and Rossiya reported the rescheduling of 170 flights.
According to information from Rosaviatsiya, the airports Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky completely or partially halted departures for approximately two and a half hours.
UKRAINE'S REACTION
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the incident as a response to Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and thanked the Ukrainian security forces for conducting the operation.
"In recent days, all our partners have noted the accuracy and effectiveness of our mid-range and long-range assets. It is time to end this war, and Russia must take the necessary steps in diplomacy," wrote Zelensky.