Russia Launched Over 2,000 Drones at Ukraine in Past Week, Zelensky Says
Recent Russian strikes kill civilian in Dnipro
A 20-year-old man injured in a Russian attack on warehouses in Dnipro on 3 September died in hospital from severe injuries. [1] Medics fought for his life for an extended period before the injuries proved too severe. [1] The same Russian attack on Dnipro on 3 September caused a fire at warehouses belonging to a logistics company. [1] That incident initially killed one person and injured eight others. [1]
Agricultural facility hit in Chernihiv Oblast
Russian forces used MLRS to attack an agricultural company in Semenivka, Chernihiv Oblast on 20 September. [2] The strike completely destroyed a straw barn, damaged equipment and storage premises, and affected cattle. [2] On the same day the oblast saw 18 attacks in total, with most hits carried out using FPV drones on border hromadas. [2]
Russian MLRS strike destroyed a straw barn at an agricultural company in Semenivka, Chernihiv Oblast. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Zelensky reports over 2,000 Russian drones used in one week
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on 20 September that Russia used over 2,000 attack drones against Ukraine in the past week. [4] In addition to the drones, most of which were jet-powered and capable of reaching 600 kilometers per hour, Russian forces launched 1,700 air bombs and 19 missiles of various types. [4] The strikes hit monasteries, critical infrastructure, businesses and residential buildings across Ukraine. [4] Zelensky noted that Moscow has shifted its bombardment tactics to near-hourly drone attacks throughout the day while continuing large-scale strikes that include ballistic missiles. [4] Over the last few months Moscow has stepped up its strikes on Ukraine, taking advantage of Kyiv's shortage of critical air defense missiles and systems. [4] In August at least 372 civilians were killed and 2,349 were injured in Ukraine, the second-highest monthly figure in 2026 after July when 448 were killed and 2,675 injured, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. [4] In response to the Russian attacks Zelensky said he approved new long-range operations on 19 September. [4] He did not specify what the new operations would entail. [4] On 20 September Ukraine launched its largest drone and missile attack ever. [4]
Ukraine conducts largest drone attack on Moscow
Russian officials reported that Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia overnight into 20-21 September. [3] About 450 of those drones targeted Moscow. [3] Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Russian air defenses intercepted about 450 drones approaching the capital during the overnight assault. [3] Despite the interceptions, debris damaged an oil refinery and a residential building in the Moscow region. [3] The attack came overnight Sunday into Monday and coincided with the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections. [3] Officials said drone strikes were reported across several regions, disrupting civilian infrastructure and prompting temporary flight restrictions at airports serving Moscow. [3] Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow region, said the attack killed two people and injured 20 others. [3] Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have downed nearly 2,000 Ukrainian drones and 8 cruise missiles in 24 hours. [5] The drone strikes killed three people in the Moscow region and two more in the Russian-held part of Ukraine’s Kherson region, including an election official. [5] A facility at Moscow’s oil refinery was also damaged. [5] Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the attack as the biggest by enemy drones and said it was clearly planned with the aim of disrupting the elections. [5] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had used a combination of drones and missiles to strike Russian military, logistics and energy infrastructure. [3] He described the operation as targeting facilities supporting Russia’s military campaign rather than civilian targets. [3]
Russian gas facility damaged in Ukrainian drone attack near Moscow. — Source: khaamapress
Russian political reaction and election context
Russia’s ruling United Russia party was on track to easily win a parliamentary election that President Vladimir Putin has cast as a test of support for the war in Ukraine. [5] Initial results showed United Russia comfortably ahead with 57.5% of the vote. [5] Other parties trailed by a huge margin but were on course to win seats in the State Duma. [5] Dmitry Medvedev declared that United Russia had performed with dignity and that Russians had entrusted it to govern further. [5] Russian government officials accused Ukraine of trying to disrupt the State Duma vote after Kyiv launched hundreds of drones at Moscow and other regions. [5] The TASS state news agency described it as the biggest attack of its kind since the war began. [5] Voting systems also faced waves of cyber attacks according to election authorities, though they said the electoral process had nonetheless been mostly smooth. [5] The Kremlin is likely to present the results as evidence of public backing for Putin’s policies and for the war. [5] Central Election Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova said the latest attacks had not deterred voters and that the more pressure applied the more unprecedented public unity was seen. [5] Turnout had reached nearly 57% as of early evening Moscow time. [5] Most anti-war candidates have been barred from the ballot. [5] Kyiv has dismissed the Russian vote as a pseudo election. [5]
Ukrainian response and calls for international support
Zelensky said it is important that partners also seek and find ways to make Russia feel the consequences of its war. [4] He stated that now is the right time to take new sanctions against the aggressor and to push for peace through strength. [4] The United States, Europe and all the G7 countries have the means to do so, he added. [4] The U.S. State Department said on 18 September that it had approved a possible $2.7 billion sale of air defense systems and related equipment and services to Ukraine. [4] The package includes S-300 Clone and GAM-67 missiles, radar systems for countering drones, range-extended laser-guided air defense systems, counter-drone radars and mobile launcher modification kits. [4] On 20 September Zelensky said he would meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in New York City during the UN General Assembly. [4] He described the conversation as important and noted that the meeting could change a lot and that there is diplomatic momentum. [4]
What to watch next: Zelensky’s planned meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the UN General Assembly and further requests for new sanctions and the approved U.S. air defense package remain key developments to monitor.
