MOSCOW, Russia- Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones towards Russia, including hundreds targeting Moscow, in what the Russian capital’s mayor described as the city’s largest-ever drone attack.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces intercepted 1,110 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, occupied Crimea and the Black Sea during the overnight assault on Sunday, September 20.
At least 450 of the drones were directed towards Moscow, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
“The biggest attack by enemy drones has been repelled,” Sobyanin said. “Since yesterday, more than 1,600 drones have been shot down across all fronts. Of these, 450 were approaching Moscow.”
The figures provided by Russian authorities could not be independently verified.
Oil refinery, residential buildings hit
Despite the reported interceptions, several drones reached Moscow and its surrounding region.
The Moscow Oil Refinery was struck, with images showing smoke rising from the facility. The extent of the damage and its effect on operations were not immediately disclosed.
The refinery processed approximately 11.6 million metric tonnes of crude oil in 2024, producing about 2.9 million tonnes of petrol and 3.2 million tonnes of diesel.
A residential building was also hit in the capital.
In the wider Moscow region, two people were killed and at least 20 others injured, according to Russian authorities.
About 400 residents, including 70 children, were evacuated from a 21-storey apartment building in the Ramenskoye district after a drone explosion caused a fire.
Other reported targets included a power station, warehouse, market and logistics facilities.
Flights were disrupted at Moscow’s major airports as authorities temporarily restricted operations during the attack.
Attack coincides with Russian elections
The assault occurred on the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections.
Sobyanin accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt the vote, saying the operation had failed to stop the electoral process.
Two other people, including an election official, were reported killed in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine’s Kherson region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said domestically produced weapons were used to strike oil and logistics infrastructure linked to Russia’s war effort.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian refineries, fuel depots and other energy facilities in an effort to reduce revenue and supplies available to Moscow’s military.
The large-scale attack came as both countries continued launching aerial strikes against each other.
Russia has also maintained missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure as the war continues into its fifth year.
Both Moscow and Kyiv deny deliberately targeting civilians.
