Story perspectives

Russia to intensify Kyiv strikes after massive drone attack

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 10:38 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Russia's defence ministry said it will intensify strikes on Kyiv after Ukraine's largest drone attack on Moscow.
Ukrainian forces launched about 1,600 drones, including roughly 450 toward Moscow, on Russia’s final election day.
The raids killed two, wounded 20, and damaged a major oil refinery in the Moscow region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the strike, cited Pelican drones and Flamingo missiles, and will meet President Donald Trump in New York.

History

Historical Context

The United States first armed an MQ-1 Predator in October 2001, using it to kill al-Qaeda operative al-Masri in Afghanistan, marking the debut of remote combat strikes. Early reconnaissance trials began in 2000, and the drone soon saw action in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, expanding a U.S. UAV fleet that numbered 246 Predators by 2014 and prompting other nations to develop their own armed drones.

1 of 2

Story summary

Russia's defence ministry said it will intensify strikes on Kyiv after Ukraine's largest drone attack on Moscow.
Ukrainian forces launched about 1,600 drones, including roughly 450 toward Moscow, on Russia’s final election day.
The raids killed two, wounded 20, and damaged a major oil refinery in the Moscow region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the strike, cited Pelican drones and Flamingo missiles, and will meet President Donald Trump in New York.

1 / 2