Russia admits massive Ukrainian attack, with thousands of drones and missiles involved
Russia came under attack by thousands of Ukrainian drones on September 20 (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine launched one of its largest attacks on Russia on September 20, deploying more than 2,000 strike drones and missiles, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Russian defense agency complained that Ukraine's Defense Forces were attempting to disrupt elections to the State Duma.
It acknowledged that Ukraine carried out a massive attack on the country on September 19 and 20.
The Russian side claims that Ukrainian forces used a huge number of strike drones, as well as Flamingo missiles, this time.
Russia's Defense Ministry traditionally does not disclose the exact number of weapons Ukraine used during the aerial attack.
Nevertheless, it does not hide the fact that the number exceeded 2,000 drones.
The ministry claims that Russian air defenses allegedly destroyed or suppressed 1,951 Ukrainian drones over the course of one day.
The Russian ministry also claims it neutralized eight Flamingo missiles.
Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region targets Moscow oil refinery pic.twitter.com/8FIieo0TL4
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) September 20, 2026
On September 20, #Ukraine launched one of its largest attacks on #Russia, using more than 2,000 strike #drones and #missiles pic.twitter.com/6o1Q6it5K4
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) September 20, 2026
Russia's Defense Ministry said that "another cruise missile launched by the enemy veered off course and crashed in an uninhabited area," but provided no evidence to support the claim.
Key Russian oil industry facility and logistics site hit in Moscow region — Zelenskyy pic.twitter.com/1AfoR9O69Y
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) September 20, 2026
As it turned out, on September 20, Russian air defenses attempted to shoot down Ukrainian drones over the territories of:
- Belgorod region
- Bryansk region
- Kaluga region
- Kursk region
- Oryol region
- Tula region
- Moscow region
- Occupied Crimea
- The Black Sea.
Amid the latest developments, Russian authorities traditionally announced retaliation for Ukraine's massive attack.
"The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will continue and intensify strikes with precision weapons against military facilities in Kyiv," Russia's Defense Ministry said.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that overnight on September 20, Ukrainian forces carried out the largest attack on Moscow since the start of the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later officially confirmed that the Defense Forces used drones, Flamingo, and Pelican this time.
Amid this, a major aviation disruption began in Moscow.
