Ukraine deployed jet-powered drones during massive Moscow attack

In addition to the conventional drones typically used in long-range strikes against Russian targets, Ukraine actively employed jet-powered missile drones during the June 18 attack on the Moscow Oil Refinery and several other sites around the Russian capital, sources in Ukraine’s Defense Forces told NV.

The use of such systems is supported by dozens of videos posted by Russian residents that appear to show fast-moving aerial vehicles distinct from traditional long-range drones.

According to NV’s sources, the June 18 operation was among Ukraine’s most successful attacks involving jet-powered missile drones, particularly in terms of penetrating Moscow’s heavily layered air defense network.

“Russian air defense systems around Moscow performed poorly or very poorly,” one source told NV.

Russian air defenses under pressure

Ukraine has previously used several types of missile drones in strikes against targets deep inside Russia, including during earlier attacks on Moscow.

According to NV’s source, one factor behind the success of the latest operation may be the gradual depletion of Russian air defense resources, including the increasing use of older or less capable interceptor missiles.

The source noted that the Pantsir air defense system, one of Russia’s primary counter-drone weapons, employs several different missile types with varying levels of effectiveness against unmanned aerial targets.

Ukraine’s missile-drone program

Ukraine publicly unveiled several missile-drone systems in late 2024 and early 2025, including the Peklo, Palianytsia and Bars platforms.

While development of these systems attracted significant attention, open-source information suggests their large-scale operational deployment accelerated in late 2025 and throughout 2026.

Moscow attack among largest of the war

Moscow came under what appears to have been one of the largest drone attacks of the war on June 18.

More than 180 drones targeted the Russian capital, based on statements by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

The attack marked the second strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery in three days. Ukrainian drones also targeted the facility on June 16.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) later said that strike damaged the refinery’s “heart” — a key crude oil processing unit.

The Moscow Oil Refinery is one of Russia’s most strategically important energy facilities, processing approximately 11 million metric tons of oil annually and supplying roughly half of Moscow’s diesel fuel demand.

Russian military bloggers and independent observers have long described the facility as one of the country’s most heavily protected industrial sites.

Defense Express previously estimated that Ukrainian drones had to bypass at least five Pantsir air defense systems deployed on towers and elevated positions around the refinery.

Reuters reported, citing sources, that the refinery suspended operations following the latest attack.