Russia Vows To ‘Intensify’ Strikes on Kyiv After Massive Drone Barrage on Moscow During Parliamentary Elections 2026
Russia vowed to 'intensify' strikes on Kyiv after Ukraine launched over 1,000 drones overnight, marking the largest attack on Moscow to date during parliamentary elections. Two people were killed and 20 wounded in the Moscow region, with damage to an oil refinery. President Zelenskyy confirmed using domestic Flamingo and Pelican missiles to target energy infrastructure.
Russia vowed Sunday, September 20, to “intensify” its strikes on Kyiv in response to an overnight barrage of more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones that targeted regions across Russia, including hundreds directed at Moscow. The aerial assault, described by authorities as the largest single drone strike on the Russian capital to date, took place as the Kremlin concluded the third and final day of its parliamentary elections.
The strikes damaged critical infrastructure, including the Moscow Oil Refinery and a residential apartment building, Asharq Al-Awsat reported. Across the wider Moscow region, the attacks left two people dead and 20 others wounded, prompting Moscow to issue a direct warning of escalated retaliatory bombardments against military assets in the Ukrainian capital. Ukraine Launches More Than 1,000 Drones at Russia; Moscow Reports Largest-Ever Drone Attack.
Moscow Vows Retaliation Over Election Disruption
Responding to the strikes, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the scale of the drone barrage was a direct effort to sabotage the ongoing legislative balloting.
“In response to the Kyiv regime’s attacks on civilian targets within Russia, the Russian army will continue and intensify its high-accuracy strikes against military targets in Kyiv,” the Russian defense ministry said, accusing Ukraine of attempting to “disrupt the democratic will of Russian citizens.” Russia-Ukraine War: Over 500,000 Russian Troops Killed, UK Defence Chief Says.
Russian military officials stated that air defense units intercepted over 1,100 drones nationwide overnight, including over the Crimean peninsula and Black Sea waters.
Casualties and Damage in the Capital Region
Moscow’s mayor described the wave of drones as the “largest ever” drone attack on the Russian capital, confirming that 450 drones were downed while heading toward the city. Despite air defense interceptions, falling debris and impacts caused damage to the Moscow Oil Refinery, a vital supplier of fuel to the metropolitan area, as well as a residential building.
Casualties were confirmed in the surrounding province. Across the wider Moscow region, the attack killed two people and wounded 20, local Gov. Andrei Vorobyov said. The dead were a 74-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, he said.
Ukraine Deploys Homegrown Long-Range Missiles
Ukrainian officials confirmed the scale of the operation, framing the strikes as part of a systematic campaign targeting Russian logistical and refining capabilities that fund the ongoing conflict.
Writing on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv had used a range of missiles and drones in the attack, including Ukraine's domestically made Flamingo and Pelican missiles, to hit oil and logistics facilities.
The strikes coincided with voting for Russia's State Duma, which was also conducted across occupied Ukrainian territories. Both nations have continued mutual long-range strikes against energy assets and population centers amid stalled ground advances along the front lines.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2026 11:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
