Ukrainian strikes on Moscow’s Kapotnya refinery on June 17 and 18 significantly undermined Russian President Vladimir Putin’s narrative of steady victory, forcing official explanations for the failure of Moscow’s air defense system. These attacks, following previous ignored drone and missile hits, shocked the public, with Kremlin reassurances failing to alleviate concerns despite predictions of Ukraine's "completely catastrophic" situation.
Ukraine strategically timed hits on the Kronstadt naval base and St. Petersburg refineries during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, subverting Putin’s efforts to address Russia’s economic recession and investment slump. The Moscow attacks also discomfited the June 18 Russia–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kazan, which was high on ceremony but low on substance. Putin's briefings to Southeast Asian leaders on Ukraine's invasion departed from reality, leading guests to question his silence on strikes in Tatarstan. The Kazan summit, intended to showcase Russia's "Global South" focus against the Group of Seven (G7) summit, instead highlighted inflated ambitions and degraded energy power.
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