Russia repels 1,600 drones as UN week opens in New York

September 21, 2026 at 02:29 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Russia intercepted more than 1,600 drones, including 450 aimed at Moscow, in one of the largest attacks of the war on the final day of parliamentary elections. Three people were killed in the Moscow region and a residential building was hit. The attacks came as world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly.

Key Facts

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Russian forces shot down more than 1,600 drones since Saturday, including 450 aimed at Moscow.
Three people were killed in the Moscow region in the early morning attacks, according to Governor Andrey Vorobyov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed strikes on a major oil industry facility and logistics site in the Moscow region.
Russia launched 138 drones at Ukraine overnight on September 20, with Ukrainian air defenses downing 101.
About 130 world leaders are gathering in New York for the UN General Assembly this week.

Drone Attacks on Russia

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Russian forces shot down more than 1,600 drones since Saturday, including 450 aimed at Moscow. He described the attack as unprecedented and said it was planned to disrupt the elections, but the enemy failed. Several drones reached an oil refinery area and one struck a multi-story residential building, according to Sobyanin. Moscow region Governor Andrey Vorobyov reported three people killed in the early morning attacks. The attacks also damaged a facility at the Moscow oil refinery, though officials gave no further details.

Ukrainian Strikes and Retaliation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed strikes on a major oil industry facility and logistics site in the Moscow region. Zelensky said the Pelikan (FP-7) tactical missile was used against Russia for the first time. The missile was produced by Fire Point, Ukraine's main missile manufacturer, which had earlier announced imminent strikes on Russian territory. Russia launched 138 drones at Ukraine overnight on September 20, with Ukrainian air defenses downing 101 by Sunday morning. Seventeen drones hit their targets and debris fell in five locations, according to Kyiv region officials.

UN General Assembly

About 130 world leaders are gathering in New York this week to address the UN General Assembly. The meeting takes place as the post-World War II international order faces serious pressure and the UN itself struggles for influence.