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Ukraine launches 1,951 drones at Russia in largest strike of war
Ukraine launched 1,951 drones and 8 missiles at Russia on September 20, the largest attack since the war began, targeting Moscow and other regions during Russia's parliamentary elections. Russian air defenses intercepted over 1,110 drones, with damage reported to the Moscow Oil Refinery and a residential building, killing two and injuring 20 in the Moscow region.
Quick Facts
- Ukraine launched 1,951 drones and 8 missiles at Russian regions
- Russian air defense intercepted 1,110 drones
- 450 drones were destroyed en route to Moscow
- Moscow Oil Refinery was damaged (three key units)
- Residential building in Moscow region was damaged
Related Insights
Ukraine conducted its largest drone and missile attack since the February 2022 invasion on September 20, firing 1,951 unmanned aerial vehicles and 8 missiles at Russian regions, according to Russian Defense Ministry data. The strike targeted Moscow and other areas as Russia held the final day of parliamentary elections. Russian air defense systems intercepted 1,110 drones nationwide, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 450 drones were destroyed en route to the capital. The attack damaged the Moscow Oil Refinery—which supplies over one-third of the Moscow region's fuel—and a residential building, resulting in two deaths and 20 injuries in the wider Moscow region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv used domestically manufactured Flamingo and Pelican missiles alongside drones to strike oil and logistics facilities. "These are billions of dollars that sustain the war machine," Zelenskyy said on social media, describing the financial impact intended to pressure Russia's economy. Ukrainian defense officials indicated that three key units at the Moscow Oil Refinery were damaged. The refinery's fuel supplies include petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel used by Russia's military.
Mayor Sobyanin characterized the assault as an "unprecedented attack" aimed at disrupting Russia's wartime parliamentary election. Russian state media reported that an election official was killed in a separate Ukrainian drone strike on a bus in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's Kherson region. Moscow's major airports—Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo—implemented temporary flight restrictions overnight, though operations resumed by Sunday morning with possible delays.
Ukraine also reported continued Russian attacks during the same period. Zelenskyy stated that a Russian drone strike hit a monastery in Ukraine's Kherson region on Saturday, killing one clergy member and wounding four. He also said that Russian attacks on Kyiv killed a mother and two small children on Saturday evening, with a third child from a separate attack dying in hospital on Sunday. Ukrainian officials reported nine deaths total in the Kyiv and Sumy regions from Russian attacks over the weekend.
The escalation reflects an intensifying aerial campaign between the two sides. Since Russia's 2022 invasion, Ukraine has emerged as a global leader in military drone technology, deploying long-range domestically produced systems for strikes deep inside Russian territory. Moscow and Kyiv have been drawn into what sources describe as an "escalating duel of long-range aerial strikes," with both sides increasingly targeting energy infrastructure and logistics facilities. Fighting along the roughly 1,250-kilometer front line in eastern and southern Ukraine has slowed, constrained by heavy drone deployment and ground-based threats.
Why This Matters
The attack represents the largest coordinated drone strike by Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, targeting Russia's oil refinery infrastructure that supplies one-third of Moscow region's fuel and affects military logistics. Damage to the Moscow Oil Refinery and civilian casualties in Moscow region mark escalation in long-range aerial strikes aimed at energy and transportation networks. Flight restrictions at major Moscow airports and disruptions to fuel supply chain affect civilian aviation and wartime logistics. The strike occurs amid intensifying reciprocal drone attacks, with both sides increasingly targeting energy infrastructure; continued attacks on civilian areas in both Ukraine and Russia contribute to rising civilian casualty figures.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2014
WireRussia illegally annexed Crimea
Sep 18, 2026
WireRussian parliamentary elections began
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Sources
- Ucrania Guerra Rusia Drones Moscu 296a91aee66eceb57eaac88e4adef8beapWireSep 20, 2026
- Largest attack on Moscow sees Ukraine fire hundreds of drones, mayor saysBBCMediaSep 20, 2026
- Ukraine launches 1,000 drones at Russia, including hundreds fired at Moscow in what mayor describes as "largest ever" attackCBS NewsMediaSep 20, 2026
- Kiev’s strike on Russian regions becomes largest since start of special military operationtassMediaSep 20, 2026
- Ukraine fires over 1,000 drones at Russia, including 'largest ever' attack on MoscowPBSMediaSep 20, 2026