(KYIV) – Ukraine launched its largest overnight strike on Moscow and the surrounding region on 20th September 2026, using a combination of domestically produced drones and Flamingo missiles, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russian officials have reported damage to a major oil refinery and logistical hubs.
The attack involved approximately 1,600 Ukrainian drones and an unspecified number of missiles, according to Russian media. Debris from a Ukrainian Flamingo missile was discovered less than 25 kilometres from the Kremlin, indicating a significant extension in the range of Kyiv’s strike capabilities.
The Kapotnya oil refinery, the largest in the Moscow region, was set ablaze. The facility, which supplies 40 percent of the capital’s gasoline, had been prepared for reopening following previous attacks. Videos circulating on social media show multiple large fires across the city, with the capital reportedly covered in smoke.
A notable aspect of the attack was the absence of air raid alerts or sirens in Moscow. This has been interpreted as an attempt by the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to downplay the severity of the situation and maintain the narrative that the war is proceeding according to plan. The strike coincided with a day of voting in Russian elections, a process that has historically produced predictable results.
The attack also caused significant disruption to civilian infrastructure, with over 400 flights cancelled and airports closed. Russian military bloggers have expressed fear that Ukrainian ballistic missiles were used, though military experts suggest this may not yet be the case.
Russian losses in the capital are viewed as a direct consequence of the decision by Putin and his supporters to initiate the war. Ukraine did not choose this conflict, but is now demonstrating its capacity to defend itself and its future.
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