Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Ukraine Launches Over 1,000 Drones at Russia During Vote
Ukraine sent a very large number of drones and missiles toward places in Russia.
Russia said its defenses stopped 1,110 Ukrainian drones.
Moscow’s mayor said 450 of them were heading toward Moscow.
Some debris and impacts damaged an oil refinery and a residential building.
Officials in the Moscow region said two people died and 20 were hurt.
Ukraine’s president said the attacks hit oil and logistics facilities that help Russia’s war effort.
Russia said the attack was meant to disrupt its parliamentary election, but officials said it did not succeed.
The election also included voting in Ukrainian areas controlled or claimed by Russia.
Ukraine and its Western allies said that voting was illegal and void.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces intercepted 1,110 Ukrainian drones nationwide, including over Crimea and the Black Sea.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 450 drones were destroyed while approaching the capital in what he called the largest-ever attack on Moscow.
The barrage reportedly damaged the Moscow Oil Refinery and a residential building; Moscow-region officials reported two deaths and 20 injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said missiles and drones struck oil and logistics facilities supporting Russia’s war effort.
The attacks occurred during the final day of Russia’s wartime parliamentary election, including voting in occupied Ukrainian territories that Kyiv and Western allies reject as illegal.
- Who
- Ukrainian forces, Russia’s Defense Ministry, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Moscow-region officials.
- What
- Ukraine launched a large overnight missile-and-drone attack; Russia said it intercepted 1,110 drones and reported damage and casualties near Moscow.
- When
- Overnight into Sunday, September 20, 2026, during the third and final day of Russia’s parliamentary election.
- Where
- Moscow and the wider Moscow region, as well as other locations across Russia, Crimea, and the Black Sea.
- Why
- Russia said the attack aimed to disrupt voting; Zelenskyy said Ukrainian strikes targeted oil and logistics facilities supporting Russia’s war effort.
Ukraine’s account
Russia’s account
Purpose of the strikes
Ukraine’s account
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian missiles and drones hit a key oil-industry facility and a logistics facility that support Russia’s war effort.
Russia’s account
Sergei Sobyanin said the barrage was an attempt to disrupt Russia’s parliamentary elections.
Impact of the attack
Ukraine’s account
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s long-range responses had a significant impact in the Moscow region and damaged important Russian facilities.
Russia’s account
Russia said its air defenses intercepted the drones, and Sobyanin said the attempt to disrupt voting failed.
Status of the election
Ukraine’s account
Ukraine and its Western allies said voting in occupied Ukrainian territory was illegal and void.
Russia’s account
Russia proceeded with voting in Crimea and four Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed.
- Drones intercepted
- Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 1,110 Ukrainian drones.
- Drones near Moscow
- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 450 drones were destroyed while approaching the capital.
- Reported casualties
- Moscow-region officials reported two deaths and 20 injuries.
- Reported damage
- The Moscow Oil Refinery and a residential building were reportedly damaged.
- Refinery importance
- The Moscow Oil Refinery reportedly supplies about 40% of Moscow’s fuel market.
- Election context
- The barrage occurred on the third and final day of Russia’s first wartime parliamentary election.
- Disputed voting
- Russia held voting in Crimea and four Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed; Kyiv and Western allies called the voting illegal and void.
- Potential military sale
- The United States State Department approved a potential $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defense upgrades and related support.
