Ukraine pounds Russia with over 1,600 drones, visual shows massive blaze at refinery

Ukraine unleashed its largest drone attack on Moscow on Sunday, striking a major oil facility and several other targets in the capital region as Russians voted in a parliamentary election that the Kremlin had presented as a test of support for President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine.

The overnight barrage killed two people, damaged several residential buildings and hit the Moscow oil refinery, according to Russian authorities. The attack triggered massive fires and sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky over the capital's industrial areas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian long-range weapons had struck an oil industry facility and a logistics site in the Moscow region. He also released video footage showing large fires burning the industrial facilities.Our long-range responses had a very significant impact in the Moscow region last night. One of Russia’s key oil industry facilities and the aggressor’s logistics facility were hit. These are billions of dollars that sustain the war machine. The systems used included FP-1, RZ-100, pic.twitter.com/ka5mlDSgb7— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) September 20, 2026

In a social media post, he posted footage of the aftermath of the strikes, with large fires burning at industrial sites and thick black smoke rising over the Moscow region. The video shows flames engulfing parts of an industrial facility, smoke spreading across the area and fires burning near buildings and vehicles.

Zelenskyy said the strikes hit a key Russian oil facility and a logistics site, describing them as infrastructure that helps fund Moscow's war effort.

"Our long-range responses had a very significant impact in the Moscow region last night. One of Russia’s key oil industry facilities and the aggressor’s logistics facility were hit. These are billions of dollars that sustain the war machine. The systems used included FP-1, RZ-100, MICH-2000, Palianytsia, Vendetta, Liutyi, Bars, Flamingo, Sichen, and Pelican.MOSCOW HIT BY MASSIVE DRONE BARRAGE

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defences had intercepted more than 1,600 drones since Saturday, including 450 that were heading towards the capital. "The biggest attack by enemy drones has been repelled," Sobyanin said on Telegram. "This unprecedented attack was clearly planned with the aim of disrupting the elections. The enemy did not succeed."Our units lit up Moscow tonight. Literally.What a team@1usc_army @Raid_413 @414magyarbirdsand 412 NEMESIS https://t.co/O8mMQsY4rX pic.twitter.com/kSYSmsGDdf— Unmanned Systems Forces (@usf_army) September 20, 2026

Several drones reached the grounds of the Moscow oil refinery, a facility that has been targeted in previous attacks. A residential building was also hit, according to Sobyanin. Witnesses reported hearing explosions in Moscow and seeing large columns of smoke rising from the direction of the refinery.

Russia's Defence Ministry separately said it had intercepted 1,110 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian territory, occupied Crimea and the Black Sea. The figures released by Russian authorities could not be independently verified. Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drones to strike Russian energy infrastructure and other strategic targets far from the front line.Every day and every night, we defend ourselves against Russian strikes. Yesterday, in the Kherson region, the Russians struck a monastery with an FPV drone. Tragically, one member of the monastery clergy was killed and four others were wounded. My condolences to the family and pic.twitter.com/B7c61dhNuT— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) September 20, 2026RUSSIA'S PARLIAMENTARY VOTE

The strikes came as Russians went to polling stations for the final day of elections to the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, which passes federal laws and approves the country's budget. The vote is being closely watched by the Kremlin as a measure of support for Putin and his handling of the war. The ruling United Russia party is expected to retain its dominance in parliament, which has been overwhelmingly controlled by pro-Kremlin forces.

The election has also taken place under tight restrictions on opposition. Most anti-war candidates were barred from standing, while members of the liberal Yabloko party have said they fear repercussions over their opposition to the war.

Russia's electoral authorities said voting had continued despite cyberattacks reported on the online voting system. Turnout had crossed 50 per cent by early Sunday afternoon Moscow time, according to Interfax, citing the Central Election Commission. The Kremlin has defended restrictions on dissent as necessary during what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russian authorities have also repeatedly accused Kyiv and its intelligence agencies of attempting to destabilise the country.

Kyiv, which has suspended national elections under martial law, has dismissed Russia's vote as a "pseudo election".

Putin had urged Russians before the election to use their ballots to demonstrate national unity and support for troops fighting in Ukraine.

"Your choice, and your will, will once again demonstrate that millions of people stand behind our soldiers, that we are a united people bound together by shared values, historical memory, and love for our homeland, and that no one will succeed in dividing or intimidating us," Putin said in a televised address.

The election is the first State Duma vote since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. United Russia won more than two-thirds of the seats in the previous election and remains dominant in the legislature.- EndsWith inputs from agenciesPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Sep 20, 2026 18:28 IST