Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles on June 18, triggering air raid alerts across much of Ukraine. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said, "The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles. Stay in safe places until the air raid alert is over!" [1, 2, 3]
On the same day, Ukrainian drones struck Moscow's oil refinery, causing fires and minor damage. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defenses intercepted over 56 drones, but some did reach the refinery and a nearby shopping center [2, 3]. This was the second attack on the facility in one week.
The ongoing fighting has caused casualties on both sides. Authorities in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, reported one person killed in a drone attack [1, 2]. In Enerhodar near the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Ukrainian strikes killed one person and injured four, according to Ukraine-appointed Mayor Maksim Pukhov [1]. On the Russian side, local officials in the Belgorod border region said a Ukrainian drone strike killed a man in his car [1].
Earlier this week, a major Russian missile attack on Kyiv on June 15 killed 10 people and badly damaged a 1,000-year-old monastery [1, 2]. Both Russia and Ukraine deny deliberately targeting civilians during the conflict [1].
Diplomatic efforts continue amid the violence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron during G7 talks to coordinate peace negotiations [1, 2]. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not agreed to meet Zelenskiy, according to his latest call with Trump [1, 2].
Russia accuses Ukraine of losing the war, while Trump said Russia was suffering heavier soldier losses [1, 2].
