Ukraine launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia in largest reported attack on Moscow

Moscow, Russia, September 20, 2026 — Ukrainian forces launched more than 1,000 drones at Russia overnight, including about 450 directed toward Moscow in what the city’s mayor described as the largest drone attack on the Russian capital to date, Russian officials said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 1,100 Ukrainian drones across Russia, as well as over occupied Crimea and the Black Sea. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 1,600 drones had been downed across the country since Saturday, including 450 approaching Moscow.

Several drones reached the premises of the Moscow Oil Refinery, while another hit an apartment building, Sobyanin said. Witnesses reported explosions in Moscow and smoke rising from the refinery site.

Two people were killed in the wider Moscow region, while 20 others were reported injured. In Ramenskoye district, 400 people, including 70 children, were evacuated from a 21-storey residential building after it was damaged.

Sobyanin described the attack as unprecedented and said it was intended to disrupt Russia’s parliamentary election, whose final day of voting was taking place Sunday. He said the attack did not prevent the election from proceeding.

Ukraine had not immediately commented on the reported attacks. Both Russia and Ukraine have said they do not target civilians.